Sodium phosphate monobasic， also known as Monosodium phosphate (MSP), and sodium dihydrogen phosphate, is an inorganic compound that contains the dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4−) anion and sodium. It is widely used in industrial applications and can be found in different forms such as anhydrous, mono- and dihydrates. Sodium phosphates are commonly used in water treatment and food processing, where the pH value is adjusted with various combinations of sodium phosphates.
It works as both a thickening agent and an emulsifier, and can be found in animal feed, toothpaste, and evaporated milk. Additionally, Monosodium phosphate is used to identify the presence of magnesium ions in salts. The appearance of a white precipitate when ammonium chloride, ammonium hydroxide, and Monosodium phosphate are added to an aqueous or dilute HCl solution of the salt is an indication of the presence of magnesium ions.
