What Is Lead Nitrate?
Lead nitrate, known as lead(II) nitrate, is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Pb(NO3)2. Its molecular weight is 331.2 g/mol. This compound decomposes upon heating, releasing toxic nitrogen oxides and lead oxides.
It is regulated under several laws due to its hazardous nature.
Uses of Lead Nitrate
Lead nitrate is utilized in the manufacturing of matches, as an oxidizing agent in black powder for fireworks, and in explosives. It also finds applications as a heat stabilizer in polyester and nylon, a coating agent for thermal paper, rat poison, a mordant in dyeing chintz, and as a precursor for pigments such as yellow lead and Naples yellow. Additionally, it serves as a stabilizer in electroless plating solutions, in the production of optical glass, and as a reagent in purity tests for ferricyanide.
Properties of Lead Nitrate
Lead nitrate is a white or colorless solid, soluble in water with a solubility of 56.5 g per 100 g of water at 20°C and 135 g at 100°C. Its specific gravity is 4.53 at 20°C. It decomposes to lead(II) oxide when heated and can synthesize insoluble lead salts. Its solubility leads to the formation of various basic salts depending on the pH. Lead nitrate can cause lead poisoning, with symptoms including bowel dysfunction, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, and nausea.
Structure of Lead Nitrate
The crystal structure of solid lead nitrate, determined by neutron diffraction, is a face-centered cubic system. Each lead atom is centrally bonded to 12 oxygen atoms, with a bond length of 281 pm and all N-O bonds measuring 127 pm.
Other Information on Lead Nitrate
1. Synthesis of Lead Nitrate
Discovered by Andreas Libavius in 1597, lead nitrate is produced by dissolving metallic lead or lead(II) oxide in nitric acid. It can also result from evaporating a solution obtained from reacting metallic lead with dilute nitric acid or from processing lead and bismuth waste from lead refineries.
2. Reaction of Lead Nitrate
When solutions of lead nitrate and potassium iodide are mixed, lead(II) iodide forms as a bright yellow precipitate, demonstrating the precipitation reaction. Lead nitrate also forms coordination complexes with electron-donating nitrogen and oxygen ligands. For example, a complex with pentaethylene glycol demonstrates the ability of lead to form extensive coordination structures.