- Chemical Name
- Lead(II,IV) oxide
Red Lead
Details
Lead(II,IV) oxide, also called red lead, lead tetroxide or minium, has the formula Pb3O4. It is a bright red or orange solid used as a pigment, in making batteries and in rustproof primer paints. It is a mixed-valence compound, with lead(II) and lead(IV) in the ratio of two to one. It is made by heating lead(II) oxide in air at about 450 to 480 degrees Celsius. Natural minium is uncommon; the best known specimens come from Broken Hill in New South Wales, where they formed in a mine fire. It is almost insoluble in water but dissolves in the hydrochloric acid of the stomach, so it is toxic when swallowed. Because of its toxicity its use is being limited. In traditional Chinese medicine it is used to treat ringworm and ulcerations, though this is limited because of the toxicity.
Caution
The page says red lead is toxic when ingested, irritates the lungs when inhaled, can be absorbed through the skin, and can cause lead poisoning, with chronic poisoning showing as agitation, irritability, vision disorders, hypertension and a greyish facial hue.
References
Correspondences
- Elements
- No elements recorded.
- Celestial Bodies
- No celestial bodies recorded.
- Zodiac Signs
- No zodiac signs recorded.
- Colours
- No colours recorded.
- Deities
- No deities recorded.
Folk Names
- Lead Tetroxide
- Minium
Categories
No categories recorded.
Substitutes
No substitutes recorded.
Forms
Pigment
References
References
Bibliography
- Wikipedia, under "Lead(II,IV) oxide." Accessed October 29, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lead(II,IV)_oxide&oldid=1380096515. Open the Source (opens in a new tab)
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