Question

Explain why Lead carbonate does not react with dilute HCl?

Answer 1

Reason for Lead Carbonate not reacting with dilute HCl

1. Lead carbonate (${\mathrm{PbCO}}_3$) does not react with dilute Hydrochloric acid ($\mathrm{HCl}$) because there is the formation of insoluble salt Lead chloride (${\mathrm{PbCl}}_2$) in this reaction.
2. This insoluble salt forms a white-colored layer surrounding the metal and prevents the reaction to proceed.
3. If the reaction between Lead and Hydrogen chloride occurs there will be only a slight reaction that forms a precipitate that lies on the surface of the lead metal.

Hence, due to the formation of an insoluble layer of Lead chloride, Lead carbonate does not react with dilute Hydrochloric acid.