How Do You Spell PHOSPHOTUNGSTIC ACID?

1. Phosphotungstic acid (PTA) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H3PW12O40. It belongs to the class of polyoxometalates, which are large metal-oxygen clusters, and it specifically falls under the category of heteropolyacids. The compound is composed of phosphorous and tungsten atoms surrounded by oxygen atoms, with a total of 12 tungsten atoms and 40 oxygen atoms in each molecule.

   Phosphotungstic acid is a highly acidic compound, with a strong tendency to donate protons (H+) and form hydronium ions (H3O+). It is typically found as a yellow crystalline powder or as a gelatinous solid. Due to its acidity and strong proton donating capability, it is commonly utilized as a catalyst and acidifier in numerous chemical reactions, particularly in organic chemistry.

   Phosphotungstic acid also finds applications in diverse fields such as analytical chemistry, medicine, and materials science. In analytical chemistry, it is used as a reagent for colorimetric tests, particularly to detect substances like proteins and alkaloids. In medicine, it has been employed for staining biological samples in histology and cytology, aiding in the visualization of cellular structures. Furthermore, phosphotungstic acid is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds, including pharmaceuticals and coordination complexes.

   Overall, phosphotungstic acid is a versatile inorganic compound with significant applications in various scientific fields, owing to its acidic properties and unique structural arrangement.

2. A mixture of phosphoric and tungstic acids; used as a reagent in testing for alkaloids.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for PHOSPHOTUNGSTIC ACID

The word "phosphotungstic acid" is derived from the combination of two compounds: "phosphoric acid" and "tungstic acid".

1. Phosphoric acid: The word "phosphoric" comes from the Greek word "phosphoros", meaning "carrying light". "Phosphoros" is a combination of "phos", meaning "light", and "phoros", meaning "carrying". Phosphoric acid is an acid that contains phosphorus.

2. Tungstic acid: The word "tungstic" is derived from the element "tungsten", whose name comes from the Swedish language. In Swedish, "tung" means "heavy", and "sten" means "stone". This name was given to the element due to its high density.