Lead nitrate formula and names
The chemical formula of lead nitrate is Pb(NO3)2: one lead ion with a 2+ charge, balanced by two nitrate ions (NO3−). Because lead also forms compounds in the +4 state, the full name is lead(II) nitrate. Its molar mass is 331.2 g/mol.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Formula | Pb(NO3)2 (also written N2O6Pb) |
| Molar mass | 331.2 g/mol |
| CAS number | 10099-74-8 |
| EC number | 233-245-9 |
| Systematic name | Lead(II) nitrate |
| Other names | Lead dinitrate, plumbous nitrate |
| HS code (6-digit) | 2834.29 (other nitrates) |
| UN number | UN 1469 |
The molar mass follows from the atomic masses: 207.2 (lead) + 2 × 14.007 (nitrogen) + 6 × 15.999 (oxygen) = 331.21 g/mol. By mass, the salt is about 62.6% lead, 8.5% nitrogen and 29.0% oxygen. Lead nitrate has no tariff line of its own, so it falls under HS 2834.29 with other nitrates; in the US tariff that is 2834.29.51.00. Check the full tariff line for your own country with your customs broker.
Colour and physical properties
Lead nitrate is a white or colourless crystalline solid. The Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) describes it as white or colourless translucent crystals with a cubic crystal form. It is dense for a salt, at about 4.53 g/cm3, and it dissolves readily in water.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals (cubic) |
| Density | 4.53 g/cm3 (relative density about 4.6) |
| Solubility in water | 52 g per 100 mL at 20 °C; 127 g per 100 mL at 100 °C |
| Other solvents | Slightly soluble in ethanol; insoluble in concentrated nitric acid |
| On heating | Decomposes instead of melting (290 °C per ICSC; 470 °C per HSDB) |
| Fire behaviour | Not combustible, but a strong oxidiser that makes other materials burn more fiercely |
Values are from the International Chemical Safety Card (ICSC 1000), NOAA’s CAMEO Chemicals database and the HSDB record for lead nitrate. HSDB gives a slightly higher water solubility of 56.5 g per 100 mL at 20 °C, and 37.65 g at 0 °C, so solubility rises steeply with temperature. The two decomposition figures differ, so treat them as approximate and keep the salt away from heat.
What happens when lead nitrate is heated
When lead nitrate is heated strongly, it decomposes into three products: lead(II) oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. The balanced equation is:
2Pb(NO3)2(s) → 2PbO(s) + 4NO2(g) + O2(g)
- Lead(II) oxide, PbO: a yellow to reddish-yellow solid that stays behind as the residue.
- Nitrogen dioxide, NO2: a toxic, red-brown gas, seen as brown fumes.
- Oxygen, O2: a colourless gas.
This is a standard school example of a thermal decomposition reaction. The ICSC warns that the decomposition gives off toxic fumes of nitrogen oxides and lead oxides, so lead nitrate should only be heated in a fume cupboard, under supervision.
Reaction with potassium iodide
Because it dissolves well in water, lead nitrate is a convenient source of lead(II) ions in solution. Mixing it with potassium iodide solution gives a bright yellow precipitate of lead(II) iodide, a classic double displacement (precipitation) reaction:
Pb(NO3)2(aq) + 2KI(aq) → PbI2(s) + 2KNO3(aq)
Lead iodide comes out of solution because it is only slightly soluble: about 0.076 g per 100 mL of water at 20 °C, according to HSDB. Both reactions involve toxic lead compounds, so wear gloves and eye protection and collect the waste for proper disposal.
Grades and purity
According to HSDB, lead nitrate is sold in ACS reagent, reagent and technical grades, as crystals and as solutions, with a typical purity of 98% or more. High-purity material is often described with a “metals basis” figure, such as 99.99%. A metals-basis figure counts only metallic impurities, so it is not the same as a full assay of the salt. Compare suppliers on the assay and impurity limits printed on the Certificate of Analysis (CoA), not on the grade name alone.
How lead nitrate is made
HSDB describes the method: lead metal, lead monoxide or lead carbonate is dissolved in nitric acid, and the solution is cooled to crystallise the salt. An excess of acid is kept to stop basic lead nitrates from forming. Our guide to nitric acid covers the acid itself.
What lead nitrate is used for
HSDB and other records in PubChem list a range of industrial uses. The main ones are:
- Gold recovery: as an additive in gold cyanidation, and more generally for recovering precious metals from cyanide solutions.
- Polymers: as a heat stabiliser in nylon and polyester, and as an esterification catalyst for polyesters.
- Textiles: as a mordant in dyeing and printing textiles, as an oxidiser in the dye industry, and for delustering rayon.
- Lead chemistry and metallurgy: in the electrolytic refining of lead, in red lead manufacture, and as an intermediate for other lead compounds.
- Coatings: to electrodeposit lead dioxide coatings on nickel anodes, and as a coating on paper for photothermography.
- Minerals processing: as a flotation agent for removing titanium from clays.
- Other uses: process engraving, lithography, tanning, photographic sensitising, and staining horn and mother-of-pearl.
HSDB also lists rodenticide use. Lead compounds are restricted in many products and markets, so check the regulations that apply to your application before you buy.
Toxicity, storage and transport
Lead nitrate combines two hazards: it is a strong oxidiser, and it is a toxic lead compound. The ICSC advises avoiding all contact.
- Oxidiser: it does not burn, but it makes other materials burn more fiercely and reacts violently with combustible and reducing materials. NOAA warns that prolonged exposure to fire or heat may result in an explosion, and fires produce toxic nitrogen oxides.
- Short-term exposure: the dust can cause cough and sore throat, and redness and pain in the eyes; swallowing it causes abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting.
- Lead poisoning: repeated exposure can affect the blood, digestive tract, kidneys, liver and nervous system, and may cause anaemia, high blood pressure, colic, convulsions and paralysis.
- Reproduction and cancer: the ICSC lists serious reproductive toxicity, advises avoiding exposure of (pregnant) women, and describes the substance as possibly carcinogenic to humans.
- Exposure limit: the ICSC lists an ACGIH threshold limit value of 0.05 mg/m3 (as lead) as an 8-hour time-weighted average.
- Environment: it is toxic to aquatic organisms and can accumulate in living things, so it must not reach drains or waterways.
For storage, the ICSC advises keeping lead nitrate separated from combustible substances, reducing agents, food and feedstuffs. Keep containers closed and away from heat.
For transport, the ICSC and NOAA give these entries:
| Item | Entry |
|---|---|
| UN number and name | UN 1469, lead nitrate |
| Hazard class | 5.1 (oxidising substance), subsidiary hazard 6.1 (toxic) |
| Packing group | II |
| US DOT hazard labels | Oxidizer, poison |
| Emergency Response Guidebook | Guide 141 (oxidizers, toxic) |
| Sea transport | Marine pollutant |
Confirm the classification, packing and labels for your shipment on the current SDS and with your freight forwarder.
Questions to ask a supplier
- What is the guaranteed assay, and is the purity a full assay or a metals-basis figure?
- What are the impurity limits, for example for other metals and insoluble matter?
- Can you share a recent Certificate of Analysis and the current SDS for this grade?
- What packing do you offer, and is it approved for UN 1469 (Class 5.1, packing group II)?
- Which documents does my country require for importing a lead compound, and how will the cargo be labelled?
Enquire with Scapex Exports
Scapex Exports is an exporter and supplier of industrial and fine chemicals from India. Our lead(II) nitrate page lists the grade and packing and links to its COA and MSDS. Related products in our catalogue include lead oxide (litharge), lead carbonate (white lead), lead chloride, lead sulphate and nitric acid 68% technical.
Tell us the grade, the specification you need, the quantity, packing and destination port, and we will reply with a quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the formula of lead nitrate?
Pb(NO3)2. It contains one lead(II) ion and two nitrate ions, and its molar mass is 331.2 g/mol. The CAS number is 10099-74-8.
What colour is lead nitrate?
Lead nitrate is a white or colourless crystalline solid. It dissolves readily in water.
What are the products when lead nitrate is heated?
Lead(II) oxide, a yellowish solid, plus nitrogen dioxide, a toxic brown gas, and oxygen: 2Pb(NO3)2 → 2PbO + 4NO2 + O2.
Is lead nitrate soluble in water?
Yes. About 52 g dissolves in 100 mL of water at 20 °C, and much more in hot water. It is only slightly soluble in ethanol.
Is lead nitrate dangerous?
Yes. It is a toxic lead compound that can harm the blood, kidneys and nervous system and is toxic to reproduction, and it is a strong oxidiser. It is shipped as UN 1469, Class 5.1, with a toxic subsidiary hazard.
Sources: NOAA CAMEO Chemicals datasheet for lead nitrate; ILO/WHO International Chemical Safety Card ICSC 1000, lead(II) nitrate; Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) and other records for lead nitrate, lead iodide, lead monoxide and nitrogen dioxide via PubChem; US Harmonized Tariff Schedule, subheading 2834.29.51.