Process for the manufacture of hydrated lead oxides in the bivalent state characterized by the steps of (1) reacting metallic lead with acetic acid (e.g. ammonium acetate, 5%-30% solution) at a temperature up to 200 C (e.g. 50 C-200 C) under an atmosphere of an oxygen containing gas (e.g. oxygen) of between 1 and 10 atmospheres absolute pressure to form lead acetate, then (2) reacting the lead acetate with a source of ammonium ion (e.g. ammonia) under an absolute pressure between 1 and 5 atmospheres at a temperature up to 100 C (e.g. 60 C - 90 C) to precipitate lead oxides. Optionally, to produce tri- and tetra- basic lead sulphates, by (3) adding to the lead oxides so precipitated sulphuric acid in the stoichiometric amount to produce tri- or tetra- basic lead sulphate, then (4) separating and drying the tri- or tetra- basic lead sulphate so formed.