Litharge Meaning
Litharge is a kind of mineral that is mainly used to manufacture Lead Stabilizers, Lead glass, pottery, paints, inks, and enamels. This is Lead Mono-Oxide, reddish or yellowish and heavy, reddish, earthy, odourless, solid, and water-insoluble. The other common names of this chemical component are Lead Oxide, Yellow Oxide, Plumbous Oxide, and commonly Lead Monoxide. At times Litharge is also known by its name Lethargic.
[Image will be Uploaded Soon]
Formation of Litharge
This chemical is a secondary mineral that is formed from the oxidation of the galena ores. The mineral is formed as encrustations and coatings that are formed with the internal crystalline structure of tetragonal. The chemical components of Litharge give it a soft and greasy texture that contains a very high-specific gravity ranging between 9.14-9.35. One can also prepare PbO by heating lead metal at an approx. The temperature of 600˚C.
The preparation setup includes a pumping air on the molten Lead that will cause the oxidized mineral to fall off the top into a container where it gets solidified in minutes. Esper S. Larsen Sr. originally established Litharge as a polymorph of massicot and was supposedly identified as a new mineral in 1917.
Composition of Litharge Formula
Types of Litharge
Out of hundreds of inorganic and organic lead compounds, including carbonates, oxides, sulfates, silicates, chromates, and acetates, Litharge is the most important of all. Lead Monoxide or Litharge consists of roughly 93% of Lead and only 7 % of oxygen as per weight. The process in which it is made yields a very distinctive variation of the physical properties. This makes it available in many particle sizes and only two crystal forms.
When blended with red Lead and other combination additives, it yields a paste-type material used in the storage of batteries. The highest purity litharge is widely used in various crucial things like TV picture tubes, glass production, computer display terminals, etc. Litharge of Gold is formed when Litharge is mixed with red Lead, and Litharge of silver is formed as a by-product when silver is separated from Lead. Also, there is a Litharge of Bismuth obtained as a result of the oxidation of Bismuth. The two industrial forms of Litharge are Granular Litharge and Litharge powder. Litharge for sale is available in these mentioned variants.
Uses of Litharge
The heavy yellow powder, a product of Lead monoxide, Litharge, has several benefits and uses in the industrial arena. Litharge is hugely used as a red paste material for the storage of batteries derived from a blend of Red Lead and Litharge with other additives. Besides that,
The most superior quality Litharge is extensively used in the production of glass that includes the TV picture tube and computer video display terminals. This is because of Lead’s high shielding capacity that blocks harmful radiation. Commonly, the inner part of a light bulb is made up of leaded glass.
Litharge has immense use in the manufacture of enamels and the production of frits.
Also, in the finest crystal glassware, the Lead present in Litharge imparts strength and brilliance.
Red Lead is also used in various explosives industries, ceramics, paints, and pigments.
Historical Terminology of the Chemical Name of Litharge
The chemical name of Litharge has its origin from Latin Lithargyrus, which is derived from the combination of lithos (stone) + arguros (silver). As a matter of fact defines, Litharge meaning is the mineral residue after silver is refined. Litharge is a term that is also used as a synonym for red Lead and white Lead.
The Properties of Litharge Formula are Provided in the Tabular Form:
Physical Properties of Litharge
FAQs on Litharge
1. What is litharge in chemistry?
Litharge is the common name for Lead(II) oxide, a chemical compound with the formula PbO. It exists as a natural mineral and is one of the most important commercial compounds of lead. Litharge is a polymorph, meaning it can exist in two different crystal forms: a red, tetragonal form (α-PbO) and a yellow, orthorhombic form (β-PbO), which is also known as massicot.
2. What are the major industrial uses of litharge?
Litharge has several important industrial applications due to its chemical properties. The main uses include:
- Ceramics and Glass: It is used to make high-refractive-index lead glass (also known as crystal glass) and to create glazes for pottery and ceramics.
- Paints and Pigments: It serves as a drying agent in varnishes and paints.
- Chemical Manufacturing: It is a key ingredient in the production of lead stabilisers for PVC plastics and in manufacturing other lead compounds.
- Batteries: It is used in the production of lead-acid batteries.
3. How is litharge typically prepared?
The primary method for commercially preparing litharge is through the oxidation of molten lead. This process involves heating pure lead in the air at a temperature of approximately 600°C. The lead reacts with oxygen from the air to form Lead(II) oxide. It can also be formed naturally as a secondary mineral through the weathering and oxidation of galena (PbS) ores.
4. What is the key difference between litharge and massicot?
While both litharge and massicot have the same chemical formula (PbO), they are polymorphs, meaning they differ in their crystal structure and physical properties.
- Litharge (α-PbO): Has a tetragonal crystal structure, is typically red in colour, and is stable at lower temperatures.
- Massicot (β-PbO): Has an orthorhombic crystal structure, is yellow in colour, and is stable at higher temperatures (above 488°C).
5. Is litharge toxic and what safety precautions are necessary?
Yes, litharge is highly toxic if inhaled or ingested. It is a cumulative poison, meaning it can build up in the body over time. It is also a suspected carcinogen and teratogen. When handling litharge, strict safety precautions are essential:
- Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, safety goggles, and a respirator to prevent dust inhalation.
- Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood.
- Avoid creating dust.
- Wash hands thoroughly after handling the substance.
6. Why is litharge considered an amphoteric oxide?
Litharge (PbO) is considered an amphoteric oxide because it exhibits both acidic and basic properties, meaning it can react with both acids and strong bases.
- Reaction with Acid: It reacts with acids like nitric acid to form a salt and water: PbO + 2HNO₃ → Pb(NO₃)₂ + H₂O.
- Reaction with Base: It reacts with strong bases like sodium hydroxide to form a complex salt (sodium plumbite): PbO + 2NaOH + H₂O → Na₂[Pb(OH)₄].
7. Where is litharge studied in the CBSE Chemistry syllabus for 2025-26?
In the CBSE syllabus for the 2025-26 session, the concepts related to litharge (Lead(II) oxide) are covered in Class 12 Chemistry under the chapter 'p-Block Elements'. Specifically, it is discussed within the context of Group 14 elements (the Carbon family), focusing on the properties, oxidation states, and chemical behaviour of lead and its important compounds.
