Lead(II) iodide

Lead (II) iodide (PbI2) is a toxic, yellowish solid. In its crystalline form it is used as a detector material for high energy photons including x-rays and gamma rays. It is also known as plumbous iodide. The CAS registry number is 10101-63-0. Molecular weight 461.05 g.mol-1.

Lead iodide is toxic due to its lead content.

In the nineteenth century it was used as an artists' pigment under the name Iodine Yellow, but it was too unstable to be useful.

Lead iodide is formed via precipitation by mixing lead(II) nitrate and potassium iodide:

Pb(NO3)2 (aq) + 2KI (aq) →  PbI2 (s) + 2KNO3 (aq)