Lead(II) hydroxide

Lead hydroxide is an inorganic compound with the formula. The material has not been isolated but its existence has been inferred as an ill-defined component of solutions of Pb. "Lead does not appear to form a simple hydroxide, Pb₂," however. Instead it forms oxides and oxy-hydroxides.

Preparation

Addition of hydroxide to a solution of a lead salt, a hydrated lead oxide is obtained. Careful hydrolysis of lead(II) acetate solution yields a crystalline product with a formula or. This material is a cluster compound, consisting of an octahedron of Pb centers, each face of which is capped by an oxide or a hydroxide. The structure is reminiscent of the subunit of the Chevrel phases.

Reactions

In aqueous solution, lead hydroxide is a somewhat weak base, forming lead ion,, under weakly acidic conditions. This cation hydrolyzes and, under progressively increasing alkaline conditions, it becomes somewhat weak acid, and it forms,,, and other species, including several polynuclear species, e.g.,,,.
Upon heating to decomposition temperatures, it forms lead oxide in the yellow form, litharge.

History

The name lead hydrate has sometimes been used in the past but it is unclear whether this refers to or. In 1964 it was believed that such a simple compound did not exist, as lead basic carbonate or lead(II) oxide was encountered where lead hydroxide was expected. This has been a subject of considerable confusion in the past. However, subsequent research has demonstrated that lead hydroxide does indeed exist as one of a series of lead hydroxides.