Plumbic ion

In a method that predates the Stock system, two different endings are used to distinguish the valences of metals. The ending -ic is used to represent the larger valence number. The ending -ous is used to represent the smaller valence number. Thus, the ions Sn2+ and Sn4+ are named stannous ion and stannic ion. To use this system, you need to know the Latin name of an element. For example, the two ions of lead are the plumbous and plumbic ions. See Table 3.6 for more examples. 

The activity of plumbic ions in a solution saturated with lead dioxide (or plumbic hydroxide) will be inversely proportional to the fourth power of the hydroxyl ion activity, and hence it is directly proportional to the fourth power of the hydrogen ion activity (cf. p. 339), in agreement with the requirements of equation (39). 

Mechanical Passivity.—In certain instances the dissolution of an anode is prevented by a visible film, e.g., lead dioxide on a lead anode in dilute sulfuric acid this phenomenon has been called mechanical passivity, but it is probably not fundamentally different from the forms of passivity already discussed. The film is usually not completely impervious, but merely has the effect of decreasing the exposed surface of the electrode to a considerable extent the effective c.d. is thus increased until another process in which the metal is involved can occur. At a lead anode in sulfuric acid, for example, the lead first dissolves to form plumbous ions which unite with the sulfate ions in the solution to form a porous layer of insoluble lead sulfate. The effective c.d. is increased so much that the potential rises until another process, viz., the formation of plumbic ions, occurs. If the acid is sufficiently concentrated these ions pass into solution, but in more dilute acid media lead dioxide is precipitated and tends partially to close up the pores the layer of dioxide is somewhat porous and so it increases in thickness until it becomes visible. Such an oxide is not completely protective and attack of the anode continues to some extent it is, however, a good conductor and so hydroxyl ions are discharged at its outer surface, and oxygen is evolved, in spite of its thickness. 

The only oxidation state of importance In aqueous solution Is the +2 state. Compounds of the +4 plumbic Ion are well known but are Invariably unstable or Insoluble in aqueous solution. Due to the dominant stability of the +2 state In aqueous solution oxidation -reduction reactions are of minor Importance In lead separations and determinations. The notable exceptions are anodic oj ldatlon to the dioxide and reduction to the metal either cathodloally or by Internal electrodeposltlon. 111000 reactions have been used for the separation and determination of lead and are dlsoussed In detail In section IV-10 of this report. 

---