Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 28, 2026

Lead stearate

Lead stearate is a metal-organic compound, a salt of lead and stearic acid with the chemical formula C36H70PbO4. The compound is classified as a metallic soap, i.e. a metal derivative of a fatty acid. The compound is toxic.

Last revised
Jun 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
434 w
Citations
8
Source
Lead stearate
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Names
Other names
Lead(2+) octadecanoate, lead(II) stearate, lead distearate
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.012.733
EC Number
  • 214-005-2
UNII
  • InChI=1S/2C18H36O2.Pb/c2*1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18(19)20;/h2*2-17H2,1H3,(H,19,20);/q;;+2/p-2
    Key: UQLDLKMNUJERMK-UHFFFAOYSA-L
  • CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)[O-].[Pb+2]
Properties
C
36
H
70
PbO
4
Molar mass 774.14
Appearance White powder
Density 1.4 g/cm3
Melting point 115.7 °C (240.3 °F; 388.8 K)
Boiling point 359.4 °C (678.9 °F; 632.5 K)
Slightly soluble
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation markGHS08: Health hazardGHS09: Environmental hazard
Danger
H302, H332, H360, H373
P260, P281, P304, P340, P405, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Lead stearate is a metal-organic compound, a salt of lead and stearic acid with the chemical formula C
36
H
70
PbO
4
.1 The compound is classified as a metallic soap, i.e. a metal derivative of a fatty acid.2 The compound is toxic.

Synthesis

The compound can be prepared by reacting stearic acid, lead(II) oxide, and a catalyst acetic acid.3

2   C 17 H 35 C O O H + P b O ( C 17 H 35 C O O ) 2 P b +   H 2 O {\displaystyle \mathrm {2\ C_{17}H_{35}COOH+PbO\longrightarrow (C_{17}H_{35}COO)_{2}Pb+\ H_{2}O} }

Also, an exchange reaction between lead(II) acetate and sodium stearate:

P b ( C H 3 C O O ) 2 + 2 N a C 18 H 35 O 2     P b ( C 18 H 35 O 2 ) 2 + 2 C H 3 C O O N a {\displaystyle {\mathsf {Pb(CH_{3}COO)_{2}+2NaC_{18}H_{35}O_{2}\ {\xrightarrow {}}\ Pb(C_{18}H_{35}O_{2})_{2}\downarrow +2CH_{3}COONa}}}

Physical properties

White powder with a slight fatty odor. Sinks in water.4 Hygroscopic in air.

Slightly soluble in water.1 Soluble in hot ethanol.

Uses

The compound is used as a drier in oil paints and varnishes to speed the polymerization and oxidation processes. Also used as a lubricant and stabilizer in vinyl polymers and as a corrosion inhibitor in petroleum products.567

References

References

  1. "Lead Stearate". American Elements. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  2. "T3DB: Lead stearate". t3db.ca. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  3. "Preparation process of lead stearate based on melting method". 18 December 2013. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  4. "LEAD STEARATE | CAMEO Chemicals | NOAA". cameochemicals.noaa.gov. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  5. "Lead Stearate » Waldies Co. Ltd". Waldies Co. Ltd. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  6. Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology: Fuel resources to heat stabilizers. Wiley. 1991. p. 1074. ISBN 978-0-471-52669-8. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  7. Titow, M. V. (6 December 2012). PVC Technology. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 269. ISBN 978-94-009-5614-8. Retrieved 7 March 2023.