Diphosphates, also known as pyrophosphates, are salts or esters of pyrophosphoric acid, containing the anion P2O7^4−.

Description of raw materials used in production. 

• Diphosphates are typically produced from phosphoric acid, which in turn can be produced from phosphate rocks through a process of melting and subsequent acidification.

Step-by-step summary of industrial production process.

• Extraction of Phosphoric Acid. Phosphoric acid is extracted from phosphate rocks.
• Production of Pyrophosphoric Acid. Phosphoric acid is heated to produce pyrophosphoric acid.
• Salification. The pyrophosphoric acid is then treated with a salifying agent to produce the desired diphosphate.

Form and color. 

Diphosphates can appear in various forms and colors, generally as white or colorless crystalline powders, depending on the specific chemical variant used.

Commercial applications. Diphosphates are used across various industries, such as in the food industry (e.g., as a stabilizer in ice cream or as a leavening agent in baking powders), in dentistry within toothpaste, and in the cleaning and detergent industry.

Food Industry. Diphosphates are used as food additives (E450) to stabilize, emulsify, and enhance the texture of food products, such as baked goods and processed meats.

Detergent Production. They are used in detergents to soften water and enhance detergent efficacy.

Pharmaceutical Industry. Used as stabilizers and preservatives in some pharmaceutical formulations.

Cement Production. Used to control the set of cement during production