Systematic name	Lead acetat trihydrate
Other names	Lead (II) acetat trihydrate
Molecular formula	Pb(C2H3O2)2·3H2O
Molar mass	379.34 g/mol
CAS number	*
Density	2.55 g/cm3
Solubility (water)	75 g/l
Melting point	75 °C
Boiling point	decomp
Hazards
MSDS	MSDS
Main Hazards	toxic
Flash point	Non-flammable.
R/S statement	, , E48/22, /, , , , ,
RTECS number
Chemical infobox

Lead(II) acetate is a chemical compound, a white crystalline substance with a sweetish taste. It is made by treating litharge (lead monoxide, PbO) with acetic acid. Like other lead compounds, it is very toxic. Lead acetate is soluble in water and glycerin. With water it forms the trihydrate, Pb(CH₃COO)₂·3H₂O, a colorless or white efflorescent monoclinic crystalline substance. Lead(II) acetate is also known as lead acetate, lead diacetate, plumbous acetate, sugar of lead, salt of Saturn, and Goulard's powder (after Thomas Goulard). The substance is used as a reagent to make other lead compounds and as a fixative for some dyes. In low concentrations, it is the principal active ingredient in progressive types of hair coloring dyes. Lead(II) acetate is also used as a mordant in textile printing and dyeing, as a drier in paints and varnishes, and in preparing other lead compounds.

Ancient use

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The Romans, who had few sweeteners besides honey, would boil grape juice (must) in lead pots to produce a reduced sugar syrup called sapa. This syrup was used to sweeten wine, and to sweeten and preserve fruit. It is possible that its widespread consumption is responsible for the recorded insanity and death of several prominent figures in Ancient Rome.

In some countries, lead acetate is used deliberately to sweeten candy. This has resulted in criticism that children are being poisoned. ^*

Biological hazards

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Lead(II) Acetate among other lead salts have been reported to cross the placenta and to the embryo leading to fetal mortality. Lead salts also have teratogenic effect in some animal species.

External links

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• Case Studies in Environmental Medicine - Lead Toxicity
• Essay on "Lead Poisoning and Rome"
• HowStuffWorks "What Kind of Hair Color Do Men Use?" discussion of progressive dyes containing lead acetate
• National Pollutant Inventory - Lead and Lead Compounds Fact Sheet
• ToxFAQs™: Lead
• US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fact sheet "Lead Acetate in Hair Dye Products"

Acetates | Lead compounds

Olověný cukr | Blei(II)-acetat | Loodacetaat | Acetato de chumbo | Свинцовый сахар