PbO2: Structure, Properties, Production, and Uses

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PbO2, also known as Lead (IV) oxide, is an oxide having the oxidation state of lead of +4.

  • Lead stands in three oxidation states and PbO2 is one of them.
  • It does not occur naturally in the environment and therefore it is created under extremely oxidizing conditions.
  • It is used commercially for the manufacture of explosives, match sticks, dyes, etc.
  • PbO2 refers to lead IV oxide.
  • It is a strong oxidizing agent which is a single covalently bonded unit.
  • It has a mass of  239.966 g/mol and its density is 9.38 g/cm3.
  • Lead dioxide, anhydrous Plumbic acid, and Plumbic oxide are other names for PbO2.

Key Terms: PbO2, Lead IV oxide, Lead, Lead oxide, Density, Molar mass, Chemical formula, Oxidation state, Lead dioxide


What is PbO2?

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PbO2 is the formula for lead IV oxide, also known as lead dioxide, anhydrous Plumbic acid, or Plumbuic oxide.

  • The oxidation state of lead in PbO2 is +4.
  • It is a strong oxidizing agent.
  • PbO2 does not exist naturally in our environment.
  • It is produced under extremely oxidizing conditions.
  • Plumbic oxide is a dark-brown crystalline powder that is water and alcohol insoluble.
  • It is soluble in dilute nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, and other acids.
  • It's commonly found in explosives, matches, and electrodes.
PbO2
PbO2

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Structure of PbO2

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Lead IV oxide has 2 hydrogen bond acceptors and 0 hydrogen bond donors, therefore the compound is a single covalently bonded structure.

PbO2 Structure
PbO2 Structure

Properties of PbO2

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The following are the properties of PbO2

  • Lead IV oxide is a crystal of dark-brown or black color.
  • It is insoluble in water and alcohol.
  • It is soluble in acids like dilute nitric acid, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc.
  • The monoisotopic mass of lead IV oxide is 239.966 g/mol.
  • The melting point of PbO2 is 290oC or 554oC.
  • It has a density of 9.38 g/cm3

Production of PbO2

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Lead IV oxide is obtained commercially through numerous methods.  Some of them are:

Oxidation 

When red lead (Pb3O4) is oxidized in the alkaline slurry in a chlorine atmosphere, then lead IV oxide (PbO2) is released.

Pb3O4 + 4HNO→ PbO2 + 2Pb(NO3)2 + 2H2O

Electrolysis

When the lead and copper electrodes are immersed in the dilute sulfuric acid and polarized anodically at the electrode potential near +1.5V at room temperature, then the lead IV oxide is produced on pure lead.


Uses of PbO2

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Lead IV oxide is widely used in industries for manufacturing of various things like:

  • Used in making explosives.
  • Lead (IV) oxide is used to manufacture rubber substitutes.
  • Used in electroplating copper.
  • Used as a curing agent for polysulfide.
  • Used in textiles.
  • Used as an analytical reagent.
  • Used in making lightning arresters.
  • Used as an anode material in electrochemistry.
  • Used as an oxidizing agent in the manufacturing of dyes.
  • Used in lead-acid storage batteries.

Health Hazards of PbO2

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The health hazards of PbO2 are as follows

  • Lead IV oxide is a hazardous element and is toxic when inhaled or swallowed.
  • When lead IV oxide is heated, it produces corrosive, toxic, and irritating gases.
  • When PbO2 comes in contact with humans, burns their skin and eyes.
  • It is considered to be a carcinogen.

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Things to Remember

  • PbOis an oxidizing agent that is at +4 oxidizing state.
  • It has a single covalently bonded structure.
  • It is a crystalline dark-brown or black color, which is insoluble in water and alcohol but is soluble in acids.
  • It does not occur naturally but is produced commercially through the oxidation of lead and electrolysis.
  • It is used commercially for various purposes like for preparation of dyes, matches, explosives, rubber substitutes, storing the battery, etc.
  • Though PbO2 has lots of uses, it is hazardous and toxic to humans.

Sample Questions

Ques. What is PbO2 called? (2 Marks)

Ans. PbO2, also known as Lead (IV) oxide, is an oxide having the oxidation state of lead of +4. Lead dioxide, anhydrous Plumbic acid, and Plumbic oxide are other names for it.

Ques. Is PbO2 an acid? (1 Mark)

Ans. Because PbO2 is amphoteric, it can act as both an acid and a base.

Ques. What is the IUPAC name of PbO2(1 Mark)

Ans. The IUPAC name of PbO2 is Lead(IV) oxide.

Ques. Is PbO2 amphoteric? (1 Mark)

Ans. PbO2 is amphoteric in nature, meaning it can act as both an acid and a base.

Ques. What is the color of PbO2(1 Mark)

Ans. The color of PbO2 is brown.

Ques. What does the formula PbO2 refer to? (2 Marks)

Ans. PbO2 refers to lead IV oxide. It is also known as lead dioxide, anhydrous Plumbic acid, or Plumbuic oxide.

Ques. What happens when PbO2 is heated? (2 Marks)

Ans. When PbO2 is heated, it decomposes. The reaction that takes place is:

PbO2 → Pb12O19 → Pb12O17 → Pb3O4 → Pb

Ques. How is PbO2 obtained? (2 Marks)

Ans. Lead IV oxide does not occur naturally, so they are produced in industries in numerous ways:

  • oxidation of red lead;
  • electrolysis through copper and lead electrodes.

Ques. What are the uses of PbO2(3 Marks)

Ans. Lead IV oxide is widely used in industries for manufacturing of various things like:

  • dyes, matches, and rubber substitutes;
  • glass tableware. Glass tableware produced in the past used to contain a huge amount of lead IV oxide. It was the main component in sealing glasses with low firing temperatures;
  • explosives;
  • curing agent for polysulfides;
  • lead-acid storage batteries and is an active material of the positive electrode;
  • electroplating copper;
  • textile industry, mainly for dying. 

Ques. Does coming in contact with PbO2 affect our health? (2 Marks)

Ans. Yes, lead IV oxide is a hazardous element and is toxic when inhaled or swallowed. When lead IV oxide is heated it produces corrosive, toxic, and irritating gases, which when coming in contact with humans, burn the skin and the eyes.

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