Lead(II) acetate

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Lead(II) acetate
Systematic name Lead acetate trihydrate
Other names Lead (II) acetate trihydrate, Lead (II) ethanoate
Molecular formula Pb(C2H3O2)2·3H2O
Molar mass 379.34 g/mol
CAS number [6080-56-4]
Density 2.55 g/cm3
Solubility (water) 75 g/l
Melting point 75 °C
Boiling point decomp
Hazards
MSDS [External MSDS]
Main Hazards toxic
Flash point Non-flammable.
R/S statement R61, R33, E48/22, R50/R53, R62,
S53, S45, S60, S61
RTECS number
Disclaimer and references

Lead(II) acetate is a chemical compound, a white crystalline substance with a sweetish taste. It is made by treating litharge (lead(II) oxide, PbO) with acetic acid. Like other lead compounds, it is very toxic. Lead acetate is soluble in water and glycerin. With water it forms the trihydrate, Pb(CH3COO)2·3H2O, a colorless or white efflorescent monoclinic crystalline substance. Lead(II) acetate is also known as lead acetate, lead diacetate, plumbous acetate, sugar of lead, salt of Saturn, and Goulard's powder (after Thomas Goulard). The substance is used as a reagent to make other lead compounds and as a fixative for some dyes. In low concentrations, it is the principal active ingredient in progressive types of hair coloring dyes. Lead(II) acetate is also used as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing, as a drier in paints and varnishes, and in preparing other lead compounds.

Contents

[edit] Ancient use

Lead acetate has a sweet taste, which has led to its use as an aphrodisiac throughout history. The Romans, who had few sweeteners besides honey, would boil grape juice (must) in lead pots to produce a reduced sugar syrup called sapa. This syrup was used to sweeten wine, and to sweeten and preserve fruit. It is possible that lead acetate or other lead compounds leaching into the syrup might have caused lead poisoning in anyone consuming it, and it is speculated by some scholars that its widespread consumption was responsible for the recorded insanity and death of several prominent figures in Ancient Rome.[citation needed]

Lead acetate is no longer used as an aphrodisiac in most of the world because of its recognized toxicity.

[edit] Other uses

Lead acetate, as well as white lead, have been used in cosmetics throughout history, though this practice has ceased in Western Countries.[1]

Lead acetate paper is used to detect the poisonous gas hydrogen sulphide. The gas reacts with lead(II) acetate on the moistened test paper to form a grey precipitate of lead(II) sulphide.

[edit] Biological hazards

Lead(II) Acetate among other lead salts have been reported to cross the placenta and to the embryo leading to fetal mortality. Lead salts also have teratogenic effect in some animal species.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Gunn, Fenja. (1973). The Artificial Face: A History of Cosmetics. — as cited in Leisure Activities of an 18th Century Lady

[edit] External links

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