Characteristic

 

Lead(II) acetate (Pb(CH₃COO)₂), also known as lead acetate, lead diacetate, plumbous acetate, sugar of lead, lead sugar, salt of Saturn, or Goulard's powder, is a white crystalline chemical compound with a sweet taste. It is made by treating lead(II) oxide with acetic acid. Like other lead compounds, it is toxic. Lead acetate is soluble in water and glycerin. With water it forms the trihydrate, Pb(CH₃COO)₂·3H₂O, a colourless or white efflorescent monoclinic crystalline substance.

Chemical formula:Pb(CH₃COO)₂

Molar mass:325.29 g/mol (anhydrous);379.33g/mol (trihydrate)

Appearance:White powder or colourless, efflorescent crystals

Odor:Slightly acetic

Density:3.25 g/cm³ (20 °C, anhydrous);2.55 g/cm³ (trihydrate);1.69 g/cm³ (decahydrate)

Melting point:280 °C (536 °F; 553 K) (anhydrous);75 °C (167 °F; 348 K)(trihydrate) decomposes at ≥ 200 °C;22 °C (72 °F; 295 K)(decahydrate)

Boiling point:Decomposes

Solubility in water:Anhydrous:19.8 g/100 mL (0 °C);44.31 g/100 mL (20 °C);69.5 g/100 mL (30 °C);218.3 g/100 mL (50 °C);

Solubility:Anhydrous and trihydrate are soluble in alcohol, glycerol

Solubility in methanol Anhydrous:102.75 g/100 g (66.1 °C)

Trihydrate:74.75 g/100 g (15 °C);214.95 g/100 g (66.1 °C);Solubility in glycerol Anhydrous:20 g/100 g (15 °C)

Trihydrate:143 g/100 g (20 °C)

Magnetic susceptibility (χ):−89.1·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol

Refractive index (nD):1.567 (trihydrate)

Crystal structure:Monoclinic (anhydrous, trihydrate);Rhombic (decahydrate)

 

Application

 

Lead(II) acetate trihydrate is used as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing, drier in paints, varnishes and as a water repellant. It is also used in cosmetics and to prepare other lead compounds. It serves as an ingredient in progressive types of hair coloring dyes. Further, it is used in the detection of poisonous gas hydrogen sulfide.