Thermochemistry of the biochemical reaction: { pyrophosphate(aq) + H2O(l) = 2 phosphate(aq)}

Calorimetric enthalpies of reaction have been measured for the overall biochemical reaction{pyrophosphate(aq)  +  H₂O(l)  =  2phosphate (aq)} . The reaction was catalyzed by alkaline phosphatase and, to simplify the thermochemistry, was carried out in the absence of Mg ^2 + (aq). Measurements were performed with phosphate buffer ( pH  =  7.19 and 7.94), PIPES buffer ( pH  =  7.13), and HEPES buffer ( pH  =  7.86). The results of these measurements were analyzed by using an equilibrium model. These calculations lead to the standard molar enthalpy changeΔ_rH_m^o =  − (17.3  ±  0.6)kJ·mol ^− 1 (temperature T =  298.15 K and ionic strengthI =  0) for the reference reaction{HP₂O₇^3 − (aq)  +  H₂O(l)  =  2HPO₄^2 − (aq)  +  H ⁺ (aq)} . Values of the apparent equilibrium constantK^′ for the overall biochemical reaction from the literature were also analyzed by using the equilibrium model in order to obtain what is believed to be a reliable value for the equilibrium constantK =  4.7 · 10 ^− 4 for the reference reaction. The values ofK and Δ_rH_m^o for the reference reaction have been used together with values from the CODATA tables to calculate standard molar formation properties for the pyrophosphate species.