calcium hypophosphite is a compound of calcium and phosphorus. It is used for various industrial purposes including electroplating, coating and chemical operations. Due to its explosive nature, calcium hypophosphite cannot be mixed with oxidants like nitrate or chlorate and should not be ground with quartz. It can also be used as a substitute for sulfuric acid in the preparation of other hypophosphates such as sodium hypophosphite, potassium hypophosphite, iron hypophosphite and manganese hypophosphite. It is used as a corrosion inhibitor, an aid in nickel plating and as a pharmaceutical additive.
It is an inorganic white powder that can be dissolved in water to form a solution of the hypophosphite ion. It has a melting point of 340 degC and a boiling point of 342 degC. It is soluble in alcohol and methanol and is a weak reducing agent. The concentration of calcium hypophosphite in water is 0.5 mol/L. It has a molecular weight of 299.3 g/mol and an absolute refractive index of 1.4376.
Increasing awareness amongst people about osteoporosis and its preventive measures propel growth of the market for calcium hypophosphite. Increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who require vitamin D tablets, to boost immunity accelerates the demand for calcium hypophosphite. Moreover, growing concern among people about the deficiency of vitamin D leading to rickets in children in underdeveloped countries drives growth of the market for calcium hypophosphite. In addition, increasing figure of post-menopausal women, who are at risk of osteoporosis drives the growth of calcium hypophosphite market.