What is the common name for H3PO4?

The substance H3PO4 is commonly known as phosphoric acid. This nomenclature arises from its chemical composition, where the "H" represents hydrogen ions combined with the polyatomic phosphate ion (PO4) to form the acid. Phosphoric acid is characterized by its use in fertilizers and food flavoring, as well as in dental products and some cleaning agents.

In terms of naming, acids are often derived from the anion they contain. The phosphate ion (PO4) leads to the acid name phosphoric when it comes to its aqueous form. Although there are acids with similar suffixes, such as sulfuric or hydrochloric acids, they are derived from different polyatomic ions. Specifically, sulfuric acid comes from sulfate, hydrochloric acid from chloride, and acetic acid from acetate. Understanding the relationship between the anions and their corresponding acids is crucial in correctly identifying and naming these compounds.