Metaphosphates are salts of metaphosphoric acid that
react with ammonia to form ammonium metaphosphate.
Ammonium metaphosphate is also made by reacting
phosphorus pentoxide with ammonia.
Ammonium metaphosphate is a white fluffy powder
with about 80% phosphorus and 17% nitrogen.
Metaphosphoric acid or salts are often present in a
polymerized form. In the vapor phase, the acid exists as a
dimer and in solution it occurs as a trimer or tetramer