The use of lead(II) carbonate and lead(II) hydroxide as...

The use of lead(II) carbonate and lead(II) hydroxide as white pigments in paint was discontinued in the United States in 1978 because these compounds dissolved in the stomachs of young children who ingested paint chips. The $\mathrm{Pb}^{2+}$ ions released when the compounds dissolve interfere with neurotransmissions in the brain, causing neurological disorders. Using net ionic equations, show why lead(II) carbonate and lead(II) hydroxide dissolve in acidic solutions.

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Key Concepts

Acid-Base Reactions

Acid-base reactions involve the transfer of protons (H? ions) from an acid to a base. In the context of dissolution, when a basic compound reacts with an acid, the hydrogen ions neutralize the basic component, forming water or other neutral products, and thereby facilitating the breakdown of the compound into its constituent ions.

Net Ionic Equations

Net ionic equations are simplified representations of chemical reactions in which only the species that change during the reaction are shown. They eliminate spectator ions to focus on the actual chemical change, making it easier to understand processes such as dissolution, precipitation, and acid-base reactions.

Equilibrium and Solubility Shifts

The dissolution of a sparingly soluble compound in the presence of acid is governed by dynamic equilibrium. When additional H? ions react with the basic ions from the compound, it shifts the dissolution equilibrium according to Le Chatelier’s Principle, leading to the increased solubility of the compound as the reaction products are removed from the equilibrium.

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