Lead Acetate Formula: Lead acetate is a toxic chemical compound composed of lead \(\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ – }}}} \right)\) ions. Lead acetate chemical formula is \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) Lead acetate is also written as lead (II) acetate. It has got several names such as lead diacetate, sugar of lead, plumbous acetate, lead sugar, salt of Saturn or Goulard’s powder.

Lead acetate is a white crystalline solid. Just like other lead compounds, it is poisonous and soluble in water. Lead acetate trihydrate, the commercial form of lead acetate, is used in textile printing, dyeing, as a coating in metals, drier in paints and varnishes, and as a hair colourant. Human beings stand exposure to lead through inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. In this article, we shall learn more about lead acetate, the chemical formula of lead acetate, its preparation and its uses. 

Lead Acetate Chemical Formula

The chemical formula of lead acetate is \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) It contains lead \(\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ – }}}} \right)\) ions. There exists an electrovalent or ionic bond between lead and acetate ions. Therefore, it is considered an ionic compound.
Lead acetate can be represented as,

The molar mass of lead acetate is \({\rm{325}}{\rm{.29\, g/mol}}{\rm{.}}\)

Lead Acetate Chemical Formula Derivation

The chemical formula of lead acetate can be derived using the crisscross method.

In the crisscross method, using the valencies of the individual components, we can easily write its chemical formula. The symbol of the positive part is written on the left side, and the symbol of the negative part is written on the right side. Their valencies are exchanged or crisscrossed and written as subscripts. Signs of the charges are ignored. The subscript one is not generally written.

Using this, the chemical formula of lead acetate can be derived as,

Lead acetate contains lead \(\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ – }}}} \right)\) radicals. The valency of lead radical is two, and that of acetate radical is one. By crisscrossing these valency numbers, we can write the chemical formula of lead acetate as \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) That is,

Preparation of Lead Acetate

Lead acetate can be prepared using the following methods:

Preparation of Lead Acetate From Acetic Acid, Lead and Hydrogen Peroxide

Lead acetate can be prepared by boiling the metal lead with acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. The chemical equations for the reaction taking place can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}\left( {\rm{s}} \right){\rm{  +  }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{2}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ +  2}}{{\rm{H}}^{\rm{ + }}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right) \to {\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ +  2}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{O}}\left( {\rm{l}} \right)\)

\({\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right){\rm{ + 2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ – }}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right) \to {\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\left( {{\rm{aq}}} \right)\)

The above method can be employed using lead carbonate or lead oxide instead of metal lead.

CLEAR YOUR CONCEPTUAL DOUBTS ON LEAD ACETATE

Preparation of Lead Acetate From Lead and Copper Acetate

Lead acetate can also be produced by the reaction between the metal lead and copper acetate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Cu}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  Pb}} \to {\rm{Cu + Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_2}\)

The above reaction is an example of a single displacement reaction.

Preparation of Lead Acetate From Lead (II) Nitrate and Sodium Acetate

Lead acetate is also obtained when lead (II) nitrate is reacted with sodium acetate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{N}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COONa}} \to {\rm{2NaN}}{{\rm{O}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{ +  Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}\)

The above reaction is an example of a double displacement reaction.

Lead acetate can also be produced by the action of acetic acid on thin lead plates or litharge.

Properties of Lead Acetate

Let us discuss the physical and chemical properties of lead acetate.

Physical Properties of Lead Acetate

1. Lead acetate appears as a white powder or colourless efflorescent crystals.
2. It has a slightly sweet taste.
3. Lead acetate is soluble in water, methanol, and glycerol.
4. The melting point of lead acetate is \(553\, {\rm{ K}}.\)
5. The density of lead acetate is \(3.25\, {\rm{ g/c}}{{\rm{m}}^{\rm{3}}}{\rm{.}}\)

Chemical Properties of Lead Acetate

The chemical properties include decomposition of lead acetate and its chemical reaction with other acids. On heating, lead acetate decomposes to form the toxic fumes of lead and acetic acid. Let us learn about various chemical reactions of lead acetate below:

Reaction of Lead Acetate With Hydrochloric Acid

Lead acetate reacts with hydrochloric acid to form lead chloride and acetic acid. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  2HCl}} \to {\rm{PbC}}{{\rm{l}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COOH}}\)

Reaction of Lead Acetate With Sulphuric Acid

Lead sulphate and acetic acid are produced when lead acetate reacts with sulphuric acid. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  N}}{{\rm{a}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}} \to {\rm{PbS +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COONa}}\)

Reaction of Lead Acetate With Sodium Sulphide

Lead acetate reacts with sodium sulphide to form black coloured lead sulphide and sodium acetate. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  N}}{{\rm{a}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}} \to {\rm{PbS +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COONa}}\)

Reaction of Lead Acetate With Potassium Iodide

Lead iodide and potassium acetate are formed when lead acetate reacts with potassium iodide. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  2KI}} \to {\rm{Pb}}{{\rm{I}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COOK}}\)

Reaction of Lead Acetate With Hydrogen Sulphide

The black coloured lead sulphide is formed when lead acetate is reacted with hydrogen sulphide. The chemical equation for the reaction can be given as,

Uses of Lead Acetate

Lead acetate has got many uses. They include:

1. Lead acetate has a sweet taste. Because of this property, it is used as a sugar substitute in foods and wines. However, its use as a sweetener is prohibited because of its toxic nature which can cause lead poisoning.
2. Lead acetate is used in cosmetics. However, due to its carcinogenic properties, its use has been banned.
3. An aqueous solution of lead acetate is used as a folk remedy for sore nipples.
4. Lead acetate is used to detect the poisonous hydrogen sulphide gas.
5. In the middle ages, it was used for making slow matches.
6. It is used as an antifoaming agent, dispersion agent, emulsifier, floatation agent, etc.
7. It is used in lead coating for metals.
8. In cotton dyes, lead acetate is used as a mordant.
9. Lead acetate is used as a drier in paints.
10. Lead acetate is also used as an astringent.
11. It is also used to make other lead compounds.

Summary

We are now familiar with lead acetate. It is a white crystalline salt with the chemical formula \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) It is also known as lead diacetate, sugar of lead, plumbous acetate, lead sugar, salt of Saturn, or Goulard’s powder. It is an ionic compound that can be made by the action of acetic acid on lead metal or with lead and hydrogen peroxide. The other preparation methods, the physical and chemical properties and their several uses are explained in this article.

PRACTICE QUESTIONS RELATED TO LEAD ACETATE

FAQs on Lead Acetate Formula

Let us look at some of the commonly asked questions about Lead Acetate Formula:

Q1. What is lead acetate?
Ans: Lead acetate is a chemical compound with the formula \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\) It is also known as lead diacetate, sugar of lead, plumbous acetate, lead sugar, salt of Saturn, or Goulard’s powder.

Q2. How toxic is lead acetate?
Ans: Lead acetate is a very toxic chemical. It acts as a carcinogen in humans.

Q3. How can we write the chemical formula of lead acetate?
Ans: The chemical formula of lead acetate can be written using the crisscross method. Lead acetate contains lead \(\left( {{\rm{P}}{{\rm{b}}^{{\rm{2 + }}}}} \right)\) and acetate \(\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{CO}}{{\rm{O}}^{\rm{ – }}}} \right)\) radicals. The valency of lead radical is two, and that of acetate radical is one. By crisscrossing these valency numbers, we can write the chemical formula of lead acetate as \({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{.}}\)

Q4. Can I eat lead acetate?
Ans: No. Lead acetate is so toxic or poisonous in nature. Therefore, if swallowed, it can cause death.

Q5. What elements make up lead acetate?
Ans: Lead acetate is made up of the elements such as lead, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

\({\rm{Pb}}{\left( {{\rm{C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COO}}} \right)_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{ +  }}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{2}}}{\rm{S}} \to {\rm{Pb}}{{\rm{S}}_{\rm{\;}}}{\rm{ +  2C}}{{\rm{H}}_{\rm{3}}}{\rm{COOH}}\)

Study Uses of Copper, Aluminium, Zinc and Iron

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