Process for the manufacture of hydrated lead oxides in the bivalent state characterized by the step of (1) reacting metallic lead with acetic acid (e.g. ammonium acetate, 5%-30% solution) at a temperature up to 200.degree. C. (e.g. 50.degree.-200.degree. 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.degree. C. (e.g. 60.degree.-90.degree. C.) to precipitate lead oxides and, optionally, to produce tri- and tetra- basic lead sulphates, by (3) adding to the lead oxides so precipitated sulphuric acid in the stoichliometric amount to produce tri- or tetra- basic lead sulphate, then (4) separating and drying the tri- or tetra- basic lead sulphate so formed.