Difference between revisions of "Boron"
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| − | '''Boron''' is a [[metalloid]] with symbol '''B''' and atomic number 5. It is a black solid, resistant to most | + | '''Boron''' is a [[metalloid]] with symbol '''B''' and atomic number 5. It is a black solid, resistant to the attack of most reagents at at room temperature, even aggressive haloacids, like hydrofluoric acid. |
==Properties== | ==Properties== | ||
===Chemical=== | ===Chemical=== | ||
| − | Boron's chemical properties are closer to [[silicon]] than to [[aluminium]], the element next in group. Crystalline boron is chemically inert and resistant to attack by hot [[hydrohalic | + | Boron's chemical properties are closer to [[silicon]] than to [[aluminium]], the element next in group. Crystalline boron is chemically inert and resistant to attack by hot [[hydrohalic acid]]s, such as [[hydrochloric acid]] and [[hydrofluoric acid]]. When finely divided, elemental boron is attacked slowly by hot oxidizing agents and mixtures, like hot concentrated [[hydrogen peroxide]], hot concentrated [[nitric acid]], hot [[sulfuric acid]] or hot mixture of sulfuric and [[chromic acid]]s. Boron does not react with air at standard conditions, but it burns at high temperatures to form [[boron trioxide]]. |
| + | |||
| + | Boron halides are [[Lewis acid]]s due to an unfilled valence shell. | ||
Boron-containing compounds can be tested for in solution using curcumin. The normally yellow [[curcumin]] reacts with boron, turning deep red. This test will not work in basic conditions, however, as curcumin is normally red in strongly basic solutions. | Boron-containing compounds can be tested for in solution using curcumin. The normally yellow [[curcumin]] reacts with boron, turning deep red. This test will not work in basic conditions, however, as curcumin is normally red in strongly basic solutions. | ||
===Physical=== | ===Physical=== | ||
| − | Chemically, boron is a metalloid. It is a brown-black solid at standard conditions. It has a very high melting point, 2076 °C and boils at 3927 °C. | + | Chemically, boron is a metalloid. It is a brown-black solid at standard conditions. It has a very high melting point, 2076 °C and boils at 3927 °C. Its density varies between 2.35 and 2.52 g/cm<sup>3</sup>. |
Boron exists as two main allotrope forms: | Boron exists as two main allotrope forms: | ||
*'''Amorphous boron''': brown powder, similar in aspect with cocoa powder. This one in turn consists of two forms: '''powder''' (brown-black) and '''glassy''' (opaque black). | *'''Amorphous boron''': brown powder, similar in aspect with cocoa powder. This one in turn consists of two forms: '''powder''' (brown-black) and '''glassy''' (opaque black). | ||
| − | *'''Crystalline boron''': black, extremely hard (about 9.5 on the [[Mohs scale]]). It is a poor electrical conductor at room temperature. Crystalline boron also consists of several varieties: α-rhombohedral, α-tetragonal, β-rhombohedral, β-tetragonal | + | *'''Crystalline boron''': black, extremely hard (about 9.5 on the [[Mohs scale of mineral hardness|Mohs scale]]). It is a poor electrical conductor at room temperature. Crystalline boron also consists of several varieties: α-rhombohedral, α-tetragonal, β-rhombohedral, β-tetragonal, γ-orthorhombic, cubic, high-pressure superconducting and borospherene.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allotropes_of_boron</ref> Among these, β-rhombohedral is the most thermodynamically stable allotrope and the most commonly encountered. |
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
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<references/> | <references/> | ||
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ===Relevant Sciencemadness threads=== | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=15869 Boron] | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=19999 Extraction of Boron] | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=78684 The Trouble with Boron] | ||
| + | *[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=14110 Boron extraction from Borax via Aluminum melt] | ||
[[Category:Elements]] | [[Category:Elements]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:49, 25 February 2018
| General properties | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name, symbol | Boron, B | ||||
| Allotropes | α-, β-rhombohedral, α-, β-tetragonal, γ-orthorhombic, Amorphous | ||||
| Appearance | Black-brownish solid | ||||
| Boron in the periodic table | |||||
| |||||
| Atomic number | 5 | ||||
| Standard atomic weight (Ar) | 10.81 | ||||
| Group, block | (boron group); p-block | ||||
| Period | period 2 | ||||
| Electron configuration | [He] 2s2 2p1 | ||||
per shell | 2, 3 | ||||
| Physical properties | |||||
| Black or brown | |||||
| Phase | Solid | ||||
| Melting point | 2349 K (2076 °C, 3769 °F) | ||||
| Boiling point | 4200 K (3927 °C, 7101 °F) | ||||
| Density when liquid, at | 2.08 g/cm3 | ||||
| Heat of fusion | 50.2 kJ/mol | ||||
| Heat of | 508 kJ/mol | ||||
| Molar heat capacity | 11.087 J/(mol·K) | ||||
| pressure | |||||
| Atomic properties | |||||
| Oxidation states | 3, 2, 1, −1, −5 (a mildly acidic oxide) | ||||
| Electronegativity | Pauling scale: 2.04 | ||||
| energies |
1st: 800.6 kJ/mol 2nd: 2427.1 kJ/mol 3rd: 3659.7 kJ/mol | ||||
| Atomic radius | empirical: 90 pm | ||||
| Covalent radius | 84±3 pm | ||||
| Van der Waals radius | 192 pm | ||||
| Miscellanea | |||||
| Crystal structure | Rhombohedral | ||||
| Speed of sound thin rod | 16,200 m/s (at 20 °C) | ||||
| Thermal expansion | β form: 5–7 µm/(m·K) (at 25 °C) | ||||
| Thermal conductivity | 27.4 W/(m·K) | ||||
| Electrical resistivity | ~106 Ω·m (at 20 °C) | ||||
| Bulk modulus |
185 GPa (α-rhombohedral) 224 GPa (β-rhombohedral) 227 GPa (γ-orthorhombic) GPa | ||||
| CAS Registry Number | 7440-42-8 | ||||
| History | |||||
| Discovery | Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis Jacques Thénard (30 June 1808) | ||||
| First isolation | Humphry Davy (9 July 1808) | ||||
Boron is a metalloid with symbol B and atomic number 5. It is a black solid, resistant to the attack of most reagents at at room temperature, even aggressive haloacids, like hydrofluoric acid.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Boron's chemical properties are closer to silicon than to aluminium, the element next in group. Crystalline boron is chemically inert and resistant to attack by hot hydrohalic acids, such as hydrochloric acid and hydrofluoric acid. When finely divided, elemental boron is attacked slowly by hot oxidizing agents and mixtures, like hot concentrated hydrogen peroxide, hot concentrated nitric acid, hot sulfuric acid or hot mixture of sulfuric and chromic acids. Boron does not react with air at standard conditions, but it burns at high temperatures to form boron trioxide.
Boron halides are Lewis acids due to an unfilled valence shell.
Boron-containing compounds can be tested for in solution using curcumin. The normally yellow curcumin reacts with boron, turning deep red. This test will not work in basic conditions, however, as curcumin is normally red in strongly basic solutions.
Physical
Chemically, boron is a metalloid. It is a brown-black solid at standard conditions. It has a very high melting point, 2076 °C and boils at 3927 °C. Its density varies between 2.35 and 2.52 g/cm3.
Boron exists as two main allotrope forms:
- Amorphous boron: brown powder, similar in aspect with cocoa powder. This one in turn consists of two forms: powder (brown-black) and glassy (opaque black).
- Crystalline boron: black, extremely hard (about 9.5 on the Mohs scale). It is a poor electrical conductor at room temperature. Crystalline boron also consists of several varieties: α-rhombohedral, α-tetragonal, β-rhombohedral, β-tetragonal, γ-orthorhombic, cubic, high-pressure superconducting and borospherene.[1] Among these, β-rhombohedral is the most thermodynamically stable allotrope and the most commonly encountered.
Availability
Both amorphous and crystalline boron can be bought online. Metallium sells both types, sealed in glass ampoules.
Preparation
Elemental boron can be extracted from boric acid, by dehydrating it to boron trioxide and reducing the oxide with magnesium. The resulting mass, more of a slag actually is treated with hydrochloric acid to remove the impurities. This part should be done slowly, as the residual magnesium diboride reacts with HCl to release borane and diborane that are very toxic and can be pyrophoric in moist air. Once the reaction has stopped, filter the black boron powder and dry it.[2]
Projects
- Make boranes and organoboron compounds
- Boron halides
Handling
Safety
Elemental boron, boron oxide, boric acid, borates, and certain organoboron compounds are non-toxic to humans and animals, but are toxic for insects. Boron halides are corrosive.
Storage
No special storage is required.
Disposal
Boron poses little toxicity to the environment and can be dumped in the trash.
