Calcium Acetate Formula – Structure, Properties, Uses, Sample Questions

Calcium is a mineral most commonly associated with bone and dental health, it plays an important role in blood clotting by helping muscles contract and regulating normal heart rhythm and nerve functions. About 99% of the body’s calcium is stored in the bones and the remaining 1% is found in the blood, muscle, and other tissues. Acetate is a salt or ester of acetic acid. For example, acetate is the most common building block for fatty acid biosynthesis. Thesaurus NCI (NCIt) acetate is a monocarboxylic acid anion obtained by removing a proton from the carboxyl group of acetic acid. Acetate is an ingredient used in many products, including cosmetics, detergents, and textiles. The company also uses it in canned, processed, packaged, fermented, or concentrated foods. Seasonings such as mustard use acetate because of the anti-caking properties of sodium acetate.

Calcium Acetate 

It is a colorless white crystalline substance with a faint odor of acetic acid. It is soluble in water and alcohol but insoluble in benzene and acetone. Because of its high hygroscopicity in its anhydrous form, it exists as a monohydrate in its normal form. This chemical can be made by soaking calcium carbonate or slaked lime in a solution of vinegar, widely used in various foods as a food additive, buffer, sequestering, and stabilizer.

Calcium Acetate Formula 

This article discusses the calcium acetate formula, also known as the calcium diacetate formula or lime acetate formula. This compound is the calcium salt of acetic acid. It is made up of 4 carbon atoms, 6 hydrogen atoms, 1 calcium atom, and 4 oxygen atoms. The chemical formula or molecular formula of calcium acetate is C₄H₆CaO₄.

Structure of Calcium Acetate 

The structure of calcium acetate suggests that this salt is formed by one calcium cation (Ca²⁺) and two acetate anions (CH₃COO). Also, it is highly hygroscopic and usually occurs as a hydrated salt. Its chemical structure is :

 

Preparation of Calcium Acetate 

It is produced using minerals in the form of calcium hydroxide by reacting minerals containing calcium, such as calcium carbonate or limestone, with acetic acid, which may be a dilute solution. The chemical equation is

CaCO₃ + 2CH₃COOH(aq) → Ca(CH₃COO)₂(aq) + H₂O(l) + CO₂(g)

Physical Properties of Calcium Acetate 

• Calcium acetate is a white, hygroscopic solid with an acetic acid odor.
• The density is 1.509 g/ml.
• The melting point of calcium acetate is 160°C, soluble in water.
• Slightly soluble in methanol, insoluble in ethanol and acetone.

Chemical Properties of Calcium Acetate 

• Calcium acetate is a chelating agent, meaning that this molecule can form another coordination bond called “chelation.” Because it has one metal atom, calcium, that can bind other chemical ions, calcium acetate can do the same.
• Also, the calcium atoms present in this molecule are very useful for regulating blood phosphate levels. This is because this calcium acetate reacts to form an insoluble phosphate. So it is displayed without any hassle.

Uses of Calcium Acetate 

• Calcium acetate is primarily used to control blood pressure in dialysis patients. Dialysis removes phosphate from the body, but may not be enough. Therefore, the use of calcium acetate tablets is another drug that can remove enough phosphate.
• It also removes this excess phosphate, which prevents the build-up of unsafe substances in the body and keeps bones strong. It also reduces the chances of heart disease and stroke, which can be caused by high phosphate levels. Calcium acetate helps this phosphate in this phosphate and helps to skip in the human body.
• In addition, calcium acetic acid was used as a starting material for the synthesis of acetone due to its inexpensive properties. However, after introducing the cumene process, this practice stopped. The formula of this process is

Ca(CH₃COO)₂ → CaCO₃ (S) + (CH₃)₂CO.

• The tofu is traditionally prepared with soybeans and calcium sulfate. However, Calcium acetate has been found to be the best alternative for this purpose. It is available and it is necessary to work.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: What are other names for calcium acetate?

Answer: 

Calcium Acetate is a calcium supplement used to control blood phosphate levels in patients on dialysis for severe kidney disease. Calcium Acetate is available under the brand names Eliphos, PhosLo, Phoslyra, and Calphron.

Question 2: Can I buy calcium acetate without a prescription?

Answer: 

Calcium Acetate works by binding to the phosphates in the food you eat, allowing them to be excreted from the body without being absorbed. This medicine is only available by a doctor’s prescription.

Question 3: Is Calcium Acetate the same as Tums?

Answer: 

The elemental calcium content of calcium carbonate is about 40% by weight (eg 200mg elemental calcium in a 500mg Tums tablet), whereas the elemental calcium content of calcium acetate is 25%.

Question 4: Is calcium acetate administered before dialysis?

Answer: 

The recommended starting dose of calcium acetate for adult dialysis patients is 2 tablets or capsules with each meal. The dose may be increased gradually to lower the blood phosphate level to less than 6 mg/dl without causing hypercalcemia.

Question 5: Can You Take Too Much Calcium Acetate?

Answer: 

Stop using calcium acetate and call your doctor immediately if you have: high blood calcium levels, nausea, vomiting, constipation, increased thirst or urination, muscle weakness, bone pain, confusion, and lack of energy.

Question 6: When should I take Calcium Acetate?

Answer: 

Calcium acetate (PhosLo) capsules and tablets: The starting dose is usually 1334 mg (2 capsules or 2 tablets), taken orally, three times daily with a meal.

Question 7: What does calcium acetate do for the kidneys?

Answer: 

Calcium Acetate is used to control high levels of phosphorus in the blood of people with kidney disease on dialysis (a treatment to purify the blood when the kidneys are not working properly). Calcium acetate belongs to a class of drugs called phosphate binders.