Uses of Boron 1) Boron fibres have enormous tensile strength and hence are used to make bullet proof vests and light composite material for aircraft. 2) Natural boron is 20% boron-10 and 80% boron-11.Boron-10 has a high cross section for absorption of low energy neutrons. 3) Borax and boric acid are used in the manufacture of heat resistant glass, glass wool and fiber … [Read more...] about Uses of Boron and Aluminium
p-Block Elements
Boron Hydrides
The binary compounds of boron with hydrogen are called Boron hydrides. These hydrides of boron are called boranes.These hydrides can be divided into several series: 1) BnHn+4 (called nido borane) such as B2H6 (diborane), B5H9 (pentaborane) , B6H10 (hexaborane) , B8H12 (octaborane) , B10H14 (decaborane). 2) BnHn+6 (called arachno borane) such as B4H10 (tetraborane) … [Read more...] about Boron Hydrides
Borax
Borax contains the tetranuclear unit i.e. [B4O5(OH)4]2– . The correct formula is Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O. Preparation of Borax 1) From Tincal Naturally occurring borax is called tincal or suhaga. Tincal obtained from dried up lakes contains 50% borax. It is boiled with water and filtered to remove insoluble impurities of clay ,sand. The filtrate is concentrated when … [Read more...] about Borax
Boric Acid
Preparation of Boric Acid 1) From Borax Boric acid is obtained by treating a hot concentrated solution of borax with hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid. The resulting solution on concentration and cooling gives crystals of boric acid. Na2B4O7 + 2 HCl + 5 H2O → 4 H3BO3 + 2 NaCl Na2B4O7 + H2SO4 + 5 H2O → 4 H3BO3 + 2 Na2SO4 2) By hydrolysis of boron compounds Boric acid … [Read more...] about Boric Acid
Anomalous Properties of Boron
Boron, the first member of group 13 elements, shows anomalous behaviour and differ from rest of the members of its family. The main reason for this difference are : 1) exceptionally small atomic and ionic size. 2) high ionization enthalpy. 3)absence of d orbital in its valence shell. Important properties in which boron differ from the rest of the members of its … [Read more...] about Anomalous Properties of Boron