Characteristic Reactions of Lead Ions (Pb²⁺)
- Page ID
- 97271
- Most common oxidation states: +2, +4
- M.P. 328º
- B.P. 1750º
- Density 11.35 g/cm3
- Characteristics: Lead is a soft metal having little tensile strength, and it is the densest of the common metals excepting gold and mercury. It has a metallic luster when freshly cut but quickly acquires a dull color when exposed to moist air.
- Characteristic reactions of \(\ce{Pb^{2+}}\): The +2 oxidation state is the more stable state.
Chloride Ion
Soluble chlorides, such as hydrochloric acid, precipitate white lead chloride from \(\ce{Pb^{2+}}\) solutions, when the solutions are not too dilute:
\[\ce{Pb^{2+}(aq) + 2Cl^{-}(aq)<=> PbCl2(s) } \nonumber \]
Lead chloride is a slightly soluble salt, with a solubility of 10 g/L at 20º. The solubility of \(\ce{PbCl2}\) increases very rapidly as the temperature rises. At 100º it has a solubility of 33.5 g/L. However, \(\ce{PbCl2}\) precipitates very slowly, particularly when other ions that form insoluble chlorides are not present. The precipitation can be speeded up by vigorously rubbing the inside of the test tube with a stirring rod. Even then the precipitate may not form until 3 to 5 minutes after mixing the solutions. \(\ce{PbCl2}\) dissolves in excess chloride ion as a result of the formation of the tetrachloroplumbate(II) complex ion:
\[\ce{PbCl2(s) + 2Cl^{-}(aq)<=> [PbCl4]^{2-}(aq) } \nonumber \]
Sulfate Ion
Soluble sulfates, including dilute sulfuric acid, precipitate white lead sulfate, which is much less soluble than lead chloride:
\[\ce{Pb^{2+}(aq) + SO4^{2-}(aq)<=> PbSO4(s) } \nonumber \]
\(\ce{PbSO4}\) dissolves in concentrated solutions of hydroxide or acetate ions.
\[\ce{PbSO4(s) + 4OH^{-}(aq)<=> [Pb(OH)4]^{2-}(aq) + SO4^{2-}(aq) } \nonumber \]
\[\ce{PbSO4(s) + 2CH3CO2^{-}(aq)<=> Pb(CH3CO2)2(aq) + SO4^{2-}(aq) } \nonumber \]
The lead acetate, though only slightly dissociated, is soluble.
Aqueous Ammonia
Lead(II) ion reacts with aqueous ammonia to precipitate a white basic salt, \(\ce{Pb2O(NO3)2}\), rather than the expected lead(II) hydroxide:
\[\ce{Pb^{2+}(aq) + 2NH3(aq) + 3H2O(l) + 2NO3^{-}(aq)<=> Pb2O(NO3)2(s) + H2O(l) + 2NH4^{+}(aq) } \nonumber \]
The basic salt is insoluble in excess ammonia.
Sodium Hydroxide
Sodium hydroxide precipitates lead(II) hydroxide, which dissolve with excess hydroxide:
\[\ce{Pb^{2+}(aq) + 2OH^{-}(aq)<=> Pb(OH)2(s) } \nonumber \]
\[\ce{Pb(OH)2(s) + 2OH^{-}(aq)<=> [Pb(OH)4]^{2-}(aq) } \nonumber \]