Question

The formula of white lead is:
A. ${\text{Pb(OH}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{.PbC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}$
B. ${\text{2PbC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{.Pb(OH}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}$
C.${\text{Pb(OH}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{.Pb(C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{COO}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}$
D. ${\text{PbC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{.PbO}}$

Answer 1

Hint: White lead is basically a basic lead carbonate. White lead is complex salt containing both carbonate and hydroxide ions. It is also hazardous.

Complete step by step answer:
As described above, white lead is a complex salt that contains carbonate and hydroxide ions. It is a basic lead carbonate. It occurs as a mineral naturally for which it is known as hydrocerussite. Hydrocerussite is a hydrate of cerussite (an important ore of lead).
CHEMICAL FORMULA:${\text{2PbC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{.Pb(OH}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}$
MOLAR MASS: ${\text{775}}{\text{.633g/mol}}$
APPEARANCE: White powder (which is very well known from the name itself).
White lead is hazardous. It causes lead poisoning. It is toxic if inhaled as a dust or if ingested. That’s why the sale of lead compounds in several countries is prohibited.
White lead is used in making paints, putty and in the manufacture of certain pottery.
As asked in the question, the chemical formula of white lead is ${\text{2PbC}}{{\text{O}}_{\text{3}}}{\text{.Pb(OH}}{{\text{)}}_{\text{2}}}$.
So, option B is correct.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: To use white lead in paints it is at first grounded into a fine powder and then it is mixed with linseed oil. White lead basically has more covering power than any other white pigments but also it comes with many other disadvantages. It is extremely poisonous the painters often get infected with painter’s colic (lead poisoning) because of huge absorption of white lead into their bodies during painting.

Note:
White lead finds many applications in the pain industry but also it is toxic,extensively used as a white pigment and base in paints. It is one of the oldest paint pigments used by humans. Chemically, it is basic lead carbonate, a mixture of lead carbonate and lead hydroxide. If asked about its toxicity, remember it is highly toxic though it comes with certain advantages.