INTRODUCTION
Boron is a non metal and always form covalent bonds.All boron compounds are electron deficient and may accept electron pair from another atom,thus forming coordinate bond.
It is a fairly rare element but is well known because it occurs as concentrated deposits of borax and kernite.It is a trace element needed for plant growth, but toxic in excess.
BASIC INFORMATIONS
- Atomic Number
- 5
- Atomic Mass
- 10.806
- Atomic radius
- 0.080
- Ionization energy
- 801
- Electronic config
- 2,3
- Principal Valency
- +3
- Density g/cm³
- 2.35
- Melting point °C
- 2.33
- Boiling point °C
- 2076
- Type of Element
- semimetallic
- Electronegativity
- 2.0
- Element Category
- Boron Family
- Appearance
- Black Solid
- Block
- p-block
- Period
- 2
- Group
- 13
- No of Isotopes
- 14
- Occurrence
- Combine form
- Abundance in ppm
- 9.0
- Year of Discovery
- 1808
EXTRACTION
It is converted to it's oxide then reduced by carbon.
OXIDATION STATES
+3,+2,+1 (Mildly acidic)
MAJOR SOURCE
Borax and Kernite
EXAMPLES OF COMPOUND PRESENT
boron nitride(BN), boron oxide and magnesium boride
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE
* It is used to make boron steel or carbide control rods of nuclear reactors.
* It is used for making fibre glass for insulation and textiles as well as making heat resistance glass e.g pyrex.
* Boric acid is used medically for its astringent and antiseptic properties.
* Borax is used in making enamel and in leather tanning
