Lead Oxide, Lead Monoxide, Lead Dioxide, Lead Tetroxide, Litharge, Massicot, 1317-36-8, 1314-41-6, 1309-60-0

Lead Oxide, Lead Monoxide, Lead Dioxide, Lead Tetroxide, Litharge, Massicot, 1317-36-8, 1314-41-6, 1309-60-0

Lead monoxide (PbO, CAS 1317-36-8) is an inorganic compound of lead and oxygen, widely known as Litharge (red tetragonal form) or Massicot (yellow orthorhombic form). It is a key industrial chemical used in battery production, glass, ceramics, pigments, and metallurgy, but it is also toxic and requires strict handling precautions.

🧪 Chemical Identity

• Chemical Name: Lead(II) Oxide / Lead Monoxide

• Formula: PbO

• Molecular Weight: 223.20 g/mol

• CAS Number: 1317-36-8

• Appearance: Yellow (massicot) or red (litharge) powder/crystals

• Density: ~9.53 g/cm³

• Melting Point: ~886 °C

• Boiling Point: ~1,470 °C

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in concentrated alkali, hydrochloric acid, and ammonium chloride

⚙️ Physical & Chemical Properties

• Polymorphism: Exists in two crystalline forms:

  • Litharge (red, tetragonal)

  • Massicot (yellow, orthorhombic)

• Reactivity: Reacts with acids to form lead salts.

• Optical Properties: Refractive index ~2.67.

• Stability: Stable in air but toxic.

📌 Applications

• Batteries: Major precursor in lead-acid battery production.

• Glass & Ceramics: Used in special glasses and ceramic glazes.

• Pigments: Yellow pigment in coatings and ceramics.

• Metallurgy: Flux in metal refining.

• Electronics: Used in semiconductors and radiation shielding materials.

🛡️ Safety & Handling

• Toxicity: Highly toxic; causes lead poisoning if inhaled or ingested.

• Precautions: Gloves, goggles, and respirators required.

• Storage: Keep in sealed containers, away from food and water sources.

• Waste Disposal: Must follow hazardous waste regulations.

Main Types of Lead Oxide

• Lead(II) Oxide (PbO) → Known as Litharge (red) and Massicot (yellow).

• Lead(II,IV) Oxide (Pb₃O₄) → Also called Red Lead or Minium.

• Lead(IV) Oxide (PbO₂) → Known as Lead Dioxide.

Applications

• Battery Industry → Used in lead-acid batteries.

• Pigments & Paints → Found in anti-corrosion coatings.

• Ceramics & Glass → Used in industrial glass and ceramics.

• Metallurgy → Helps in gold and silver refining.

Lead Oxide is known by several alternative names, including:

• Lead Monoxide

• Litharge (Red Lead(II) Oxide)

• Massicot (Yellow Lead(II) Oxide)

• Lead Tetroxide (Pb₃O₄, also called Minium)

• Lead Dioxide (PbO₂)

The CAS number for Lead Oxide depends on the specific type:

• Lead(II) Oxide (PbO) → CAS: 1317-36-8

• Lead(II,IV) Oxide (Pb₃O₄) → CAS: 1314-41-6