Lead salt

Lead (qv) is a member of Group 14 (IVA) of the Periodic Table because it has four electrons in its outer, or valence, shell. However, the usual valence of lead is +2, rather than +4. The two s electrons have higher ionisation energies. As a result, tetravalent lead exists as a free, positive ion only in minimal concentrations. Furthermore, the bivalent or plumbous ion differs from the other Group 14 bivalent ions, such as the starmous ion of tin, because Pb does not have reducing properties. 

In general, the chemistry of inorganic lead compounds is similar to that of the alkaline-earth elements. Thus the carbonate, nitrate, and sulfate of lead are isomorphous with the corresponding compounds of calcium, barium, and strontium. In addition, many inorganic lead compounds possess two or more crystalline forms having different properties. For example, the oxides and the sulfide of bivalent lead are frequendy colored as a result of their state of crystallisation. Pure, tetragonal a-PbO is red pure, orthorhombic P PbO is yeUow and crystals of lead sulfide, PbS, have a black, metallic luster. 

The carbonates, sulfates, nitrates, and haUdes of lead (except the yeUow iodide) are colodess. Bivalent lead forms a soluble nitrate, chlorate, and acetate a slightly soluble chloride and an insoluble sulfate, carbonate, chromate, phosphate, molybdate, and sulfide. Highly crystalline basic lead salts of both anhydrous and hydrated types are readily formed. Tetrabasic lead sulfate [52732-72-6] 4PbO PbSO, and the hydrated tribasic salt [12397-06-7]  

3PbO PbO H2O, for example, may be formed by boiling suspensions of lead oxide and lead sulfate in water. In addition, complex mixed salts, such as white lead, 2PbC02 Pb(OH)2, are readily formed. 

Tetravalent lead is obtained when the metal is subjected to strong oxidizing action, such as in the electrolytic oxidation of lead anodes to lead dioxide, Pb02 when bivalent lead compounds are subjected to powerful oxidizing conditions, as in the calcination of lead monoxide to lead tetroxide, Pb O or by wet oxidation of bivalent lead ions to lead dioxide by chlorine water. The inorganic compounds of tetravalent lead are relatively unstable eg, in the presence of water they hydrolyze to give lead dioxide. 

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Lead(Il) chromate VI) is precipitated when a soluble chromate(VI) or dichromatelVl) is added to a solution of a lead salt in neutral or slightly acid solution ... 

Lead oxide is used in producing fine "crystal glass" and "flint glass" of a high index of refraction for achromatic lenses. The nitrate and the acetate are soluble salts. Lead salts such as lead arsenate have been used as insecticides, but their use in recent years has been practically eliminated in favor of less harmful organic compounds. 

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