Plumbite

In chemistry, plumbite is the PbO2−2 oxyanion or hydrated forms, or any salt containing this anion. In these salts, lead is in the oxidation state +2. It is the traditional term for the IUPAC name plumbate(II).

For example, lead(II) oxide (PbO) dissolves in alkali to form salts containing the HPbO−2 anion (hydrogen plumbite):^[1]

PbO + OH⁻ → HPbO−2

Lead(II) hydroxide also dissolves in excess alkali to form the [Pb(OH)₆]⁴⁻ anion (hexahydroxyplumbate(II)):^[2]

Pb(OH)₂ + 4 OH⁻ → [Pb(OH)₆]⁴⁻

The plumbite ion is a weak reducing agent. When it functions as one, it is oxidized to the plumbate ion.

See also

• Plumbate
• Lead
• Lead(II) oxide