A white crystalline solid, Pb(CH3COO)2, soluble in water and slightly soluble in ethanol. It exists as the anhydrous compound (r.d. 3.25; m.p. 280°C), as a trihydrate, Pb(CH3COO)2.3H2O (monoclinic; r.d. 2.55; loses water at 75°C), and as a decahydrate, Pb(CH3COO)2.10H2O (rhombic; r.d. 1.69). The common form is the trihydrate. Its chief interest stems from the fact that it is soluble in water and it also forms a variety of complexes in solution. It was once known as sugar of lead because of its sweet taste.