Substance profile
Lead diazide
Lead diazide is needles or white powder.
01 · Identification
What Lead diazide is
Lead diazide is needles or white powder. Its molecular formula is N6Pb and its molecular weight is 291 g/mol. It melts at 190 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger.
Other names for Lead diazide
- lead azide
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H200 | Unstable explosives. |
| H360Df | May damage the unborn child. Suspected of damaging fertility. |
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H302 | Harmful if swallowed. |
| H373 | May cause damage to organs <or state all organs affected, if known> through prolonged or repeated exposure <state route of exposure if it is conclusively proven that no other routes of exposure cause the hazard>. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P210, P260, P270, P271, P273, P301, P304, P312, P314, P330, P391, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Lead diazide properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 190 °C (374 °F) | decomposes | HSDB |
| Density | 4.7 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Freely sol in acetic acid; insol in ammonium hydroxide | HSDB | |
| In water, 0.023% at 18 °C, 0.09% at 70 °C | at 18 °C | HSDB | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | An explosive sensitive to shock or heating to 250 °C. Will explode spontaneously during crystallization. | HSDB | |
| If it should dry out, it may explode or detonate due to shock, heat, flame, or friction ... Under prolonged exposure to fire or heat can explode. | HSDB | ||
| Severe explosion risk, detonates at 350 °C (660 °F). | at 350 °C | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Lead diazide
Incompatible materials
Mixtures with calcium stearate may explode spontaneously. May explode spontaneously after prolonged contact with copper, zinc, or their alloys (e.g., brass). Incompatible with /carbon disulfide/.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
LEAD AZIDE is unstable. May, when dry, decompose explosively if shocked, heated or subjected to friction. Forms violently explosive products with carbon disulfide. Can be sensitized to explosive decomposition by metal salts (copper or zinc) or by traces of strong acids [Sax, 9th ed., 1996, p. 298]. An explosion occurred by mixing lead azide with 0.5% of calcium stearate, [MCA Case History No. 949].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Lead diazide in the storage compatibility matrix →