Characteristic

Lead(II) nitrate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula Pb(NO₃)₂. It commonly occurs as a colourless crystal or white powder and, unlike most other lead(II) salts, is soluble in water.

Chemical formula：Pb(NO₃)₂

Molar mass：331.2 g/mol

Appearance：colourless

Density：4.53 g/cm³

Melting point：decomposes

Solubility in water：376.5 g/L (0 °C)

                                 597 g/L (25°C)

                                 1270 g/L (100°C)

Magnetic susceptibility (χ)：−74.0·10⁻⁶ cm³/mol[1]

Refractive index (nD)：1.782

Application

Lead nitrate has been used as a heat stabiliser in nylon and polyesters, as a coating for photothermographic paper, and in rodenticides.

In the gold cyanidation process, addition of lead(II) nitrate solution improves the leaching process. Only limited amounts (10 to 100 milligrams lead nitrate per kilogram gold) are required.

In organic chemistry, it may be used in the preparation of isothiocyanates from dithiocarbamates. Its use as a bromide scavenger during SN1 substitution has been reported.