Lead Carbonate Precipitation

Pb(NO₃)₂ + Na₂CO₃ → PbCO₃↓ + 2NaNO₃

Overview

Lead nitrate reacts with sodium carbonate to form a white precipitate of lead carbonate (Ksp = 7.4 × 10⁻¹⁴). Basic lead carbonate (2PbCO₃·Pb(OH)₂), known as white lead, was the most important white pigment for millennia until its toxicity led to replacement by titanium dioxide.

Participants

Role	Substance	Coefficient	State
Reactant	Sodium Carbonate Na₂CO₃	1	(aq)
Product	Sodium Nitrate NaNO₃	2	(aq)

Everyday Example

White lead paint was used in homes for centuries before being banned due to lead poisoning, especially dangerous for children.

Industrial Importance

Lead carbonate (white lead) has been replaced by TiO₂ in paint. Understanding lead precipitation is important for lead contamination remediation.

Properties

Type: Precipitation
Reversible: No
Energy: Exothermic
ΔH: -22.0 kJ/mol

Related Reactions

Aluminum Hydroxide Precipitation Barium Carbonate Precipitation Barium Sulfate Precipitation Cadmium Sulfide Precipitation (Yellow) Calcium Carbonate Precipitation Calcium Fluoride Precipitation (Fluorite) Calcium Oxalate Precipitation (Kidney Stones) Calcium Phosphate Precipitation (Bone Mineral) Calcium Sulfate Precipitation (Gypsum) Chromium(III) Hydroxide Precipitation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Lead Carbonate Precipitation?

The balanced equation is: Pb(NO₃)₂ + Na₂CO₃ → PbCO₃↓ + 2NaNO₃.

What type of reaction is Lead Carbonate Precipitation?

Lead Carbonate Precipitation is a precipitation reaction.

Is Lead Carbonate Precipitation exothermic or endothermic?

Lead Carbonate Precipitation is exothermic (releases energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is -22.0 kJ/mol.