Plumbane

Plumbane is the chemical compound with the formula PbH4. It is the simplest saturated hydride of lead, belonging to the group of organometallic compounds. Plumbane is a highly unstable and toxic substance. It is typically encountered as a colorless gas or liquid depending on temperature and pressure. Due to its instability, plumbane readily decomposes, often explosively, into lead and hydrogen gas. This decomposition can be initiated by heat, light, or contact with oxidizing agents. Its extreme reactivity and instability make it impractical for most chemical applications and extremely hazardous to handle. Research into plumbane is limited due to these inherent difficulties. It is generally not synthesized or isolated in significant quantities, and its properties are largely inferred from its predicted behavior and the behavior of lighter analogues in its chemical group. The toxicity of plumbane is considered to be very high, reflecting the general toxicity of lead compounds.