PHYTIN AND PYROPHOSPHORIC ACID ESTERS 



OF INOSITE. 11.^ 



R. J. ANDERSON. 

 SUMMARY. 



Several new salts of phytic acid are described, viz. : The calcium- 

 magnesium-potassium phytate, the penta-calcium phjrtate, the tetra- 

 calciimi phytate, the penta-magnesium phytate, the copper salts 

 obtained when precipitating phytic acid with copper acetate, the 

 octa-silver phytate and the hepta-silver phytate. 



Efforts to synthesize phytic acid by acting on dry inosite with dry 

 pyrophosphoric acid lead to the formation of esters. 



Two of these, viz., the di-pjrrophosphoric acid ester of inosite and a 

 di-inosite tri-pyrophosphoric acid ester were obtained in pure form 

 and analyzed. 



These esters are very similar to phytic acid in appearance, taste 

 and reactions. They yield similar acid salts and on hydrolysis 

 inosite and phosphoric acid are produced. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In the last report ^ from this laboratory on the chemistry of phytin, 

 various salts of phytic acid were described, as well as the tetra- 

 phosphoric acid ester of inosite. Since then the investigation has 

 been continued in connection with another problem dealing with the 

 form in which phytin exists in wheat bran, which is not yet finished, 

 but as the present work is closely related to that reported earlier, 

 it seems advisable to publish it at this time. 



In addition to the salts of phytic acid described before, the follow- 

 ing have been prepared: 



The calcium-magnesium-potassium phytate, C6Hi2027P6Ca3Mg2K2, 

 a white amorphous powder obtained by neutralizing a solution of 

 calcium-magnesium phytate in dilute hydrochloric acid with potas- 

 sium hydroxide. 



The penta-calcium phytate, C6Hi4027P6Ca5, is obtained as a white 

 powder on precipitating an aqueous solution of phytic acid with 

 calcium acetate. 



The tetra-calcium phytate, C6Hi6027P6Ca4 -}- I2H2O is obtained as 

 a white, semi-crystalline or fine granular powder when the above 

 penta-calcium phytate in dilute hydrochloric acid solution is evapo- 

 rated in vacuum in the presence of calcium acetate. 



The penta-magnesium phytate, C6Hi4027P6Mg5 -\- 24H2O, is 

 obtained as crystalline powder when an aqueous solution of phytic 

 acid and excess of magnesium acetate is evaporated in vacuum. 



A copper salt corresponding to a hexacupric phytate, C6H12O27P6CU6. 

 is obtained when phytic acid is precipitated with copper acetate. 



^Jour. Biological Chem. 11 : 471, (1912); and Tech. Bui. No. 19 of this Station. 

 * A reprint of Teclinical Bulletin No. 21, June, 1912. 



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