The key difference between lead nitrate and zinc nitrate is that lead nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide, forming a white precipitate that is not soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution, whereas zinc nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide, forming a white precipitate that is soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution.
Lead nitrate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Pb(NO3)2, while zinc nitrate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Zn(NO3)2.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Lead Nitrate
3. What is Zinc Nitrate
4. Lead Nitrate vs Zinc Nitrate in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Lead Nitrate vs Zinc Nitrate
What is Lead Nitrate?
Lead nitrate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Pb(NO3)2. Commonly, it exists as a colorless crystal or a white powder. It decomposes at high temperatures. Typically, this compound is toxic, and we need to handle it with care in order to prevent its inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact.
We can produce lead nitrate compounds through the reaction between lead oxide and concentrated nitric acid. Also, we can prepare it from the evaporation of the solution that is obtained by the reaction of metallic lead with dilute nitric acid. Moreover, crystals of lead nitrate can form in the processing of lead-bismuth waste from lead refineries.
Figure 01: The Atomic Arrangement of Lead Nitrate Compound
Usually, lead nitrate tends to decompose upon heating. This is useful in pyrotechnics. Furthermore, it is water-soluble and also dissolves in dilute nitric acid. If we add alkali compounds to the solution, basic nitrates form. We can use lead nitrate compound for the production of coordination complexes. In these complexes, the lead ion is a hard acceptor and can form strong complexes by combining with nitrogen and oxygen electron-donating ligands. E.g. combination of lead nitrate and pentaethylene glycol in the presence of acetonitrile and methanol forms [Pb(NO3)2(EO5)] upon evaporation.
There are few applications of lead nitrate, including its use as a heat stabilizer in nylon polyesters in the form of a coating for photothermographic paper and in rodenticides, in the gold cyanidation process for leaching purposes, and in preparing isothiocyanates from dithiocarbamates.
What is Zinc Nitrate?
Zinc nitrate is an inorganic compound having the chemical formula Zn(NO3)2. It is a white crystalline salt that is highly deliquescent. Typically, we can find it in hexahydrated form. Furthermore, this substance is soluble in both water and alcohol.
Figure 02: The Chemical Structure of Zinc Nitrate
We can produce zinc nitrate by dissolving zinc in nitric acid. However, this reaction depends on the concentration. The reaction in concentrated acid also forms ammonium nitrate. Furthermore, if we heat zinc nitrate compound, it can undergo thermal decomposition in order to form zinc oxide, nitrogen dioxide, and oxygen.
There are a few applications of zinc nitrate including, its use in the synthesis of coordination polymers, production of various ZnO-based compounds, as a mordant in dyeing, etc.
What is the Difference Between Lead Nitrate and Zinc Nitrate?
Lead nitrate and zinc nitrate are inorganic compounds having important applications in industries. The key difference between lead nitrate and zinc nitrate is its reaction with ammonium hydroxide. Lead nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide forming a white precipitate that is not soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution, whereas zinc nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide forming a white precipitate that is soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution.
The below infographic presents the differences between lead nitrate and zinc nitrate in tabular form for side by side comparison.
Summary – Lead Nitrate vs Zinc Nitrate
Lead nitrate and zinc nitrate are nitrates of lead and zinc cations, respectively. The key difference between lead nitrate and zinc nitrate is that lead nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide forming a white precipitate that is not soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution, whereas zinc nitrate reacts with ammonium hydroxide forming a white precipitate that is soluble in ammonium hydroxide excess solution.
Reference:
1.“Zinc Nitrate.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Lead(II)-nitrate-unit-cell-3D-balls” By Ben Mills – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Zinc nitrate” By Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia