There are many tests for phospate ions, one is making the solution alkali and adding barium ions, adding magnesium ions and ammonium ions, and the last is adding ammonium molybdate,
, and ascorbic acid (the only purpose for this acid is to provide hydrogen ions), and the complex ion those form however from my knowledge it is a yellow colour and it is called polynuclear phosphomolybdate complex,
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the equation is basically as follows
Simply it must be acidified first but adding the acid and then the ammonium molybdate solution is added, reacting with theh phosphate ion and producing the yellow precipitate.
Um well I don't think you need to know that specific way of testing for phosphate just know the barium ion method or the magnesium and ammonium method.