Lead+Monoxide


 * Lead(II) oxide** is the [|inorganic compound] with the [|formula] [|Pb][|O]. Lead(II) oxide occurs in two [|polymorphs], red, having a [|tetragonal crystal structure] and yellow, having an [|orthorhombic crystal structure]. Both forms occur naturally as rare [|minerals]: the red form is known as [|litharge] and the yellow form is known as [|massicot]

PbO may be prepared by heating lead metal in air at approx. 600 °C. At this temperature it is also the end product of oxidation of other [|lead oxides] in air:

PbO2 –(293 °C)→ Pb12O19 –(351 °C)→ Pb12O17 –(375 °C)→ Pb3O4 –(605 °C)→ PbO

Thermal decomposition of lead(II) nitrate or lead carbonate also results in the PbO formation: 2 Pb(NO3)2 → 2 PbO + 4 NO2 + O2PbCO3 → PbO + CO2

As determined by [|X-ray crystallography], the compound features pyramidal four-coordinate Pb center. The pyramidal nature indicates the presence of a stereo-chemically active [|lone pair] of electrons.