1005. Basic Lead Carbonate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 1319-46-6
C.I. Pigment White 1; C.I. 77597; lead subcarbonate; white lead; flake lead; ceruse; cerussa; bleiweiss (German).
C2H2O8Pb3; mol wt 775.63.
C 3.10%, H 0.26%, O 16.50%, Pb 80.14%.
(PbCO3)2.Pb(OH)2.

Description and references

Occurs in nature as the mineral hydrocerussite. See: Mellor's vol. VII, 837 (1927); Colour Index vol. 4 (3rd ed., 1971) p 4676. Review of chemistry and use as pigment: E. J. Dunn, Jr., Pigment Handbook 1, 65-84 (1973). Microdetermn by nuclear microprobe for use in analysis of masterpieces: B. Nens et al., Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 14, 148 (1986); by laser breakdown: D. Anglos, Appl. Spectrosc. 55, 186A (2001).

Properties

White, heavy powder. Poisonous. Dec at 400°, leaving a residue of PbO. Insol in water or alcohol. Sol in acetic acid or dil HNO3 with effervescence.

Use

Pigment in oil paints and water colors; in cements; for making putty and lead carbonate paper; in the processing of parchment.