Boron
BO-ron
Boron (B) exists as either a brown powder or a crystalline silvery black solid. Is has the atomic number 5 in the periodic table and belongs in Group 13, its symbol is B. It is a metalloid and has both metal and non metal properties.
Boron’s most common use is in compounds such as Boric acid and Borax which are used in antiseptics, washing powders and glazes. It has been used since 300AD as a decorative glaze for tiles in Italy due to its colour and it is easily mixed with other compounds. Pure Boron is hard to isolate and it is most commonly found in ores in the earth’s crust or in compounds. This is because Boron with easily bond with Carbon producing carbon based compounds. It was isolated first in 1808 by Humphry Davy, Joseph Louis Gay Lussac and Louis Jacques Thenard who isolated it from the reaction of Potassium and Boric acid. It is located in Group 13. It is a solid at room temperature and it has a melting point of 2075°c and a boiling point of 4000°c. Boron is a solid at room temperature and exists as two allotropes.
FAQ's
Sir H. Davy, J.L. Gay-Lussac, L.J. Thénard
1808
Uses
Used with titanium & tungsten to make heat resistant alloys for jets & rockets.
Sources
Obtained from kernite, a kind of borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O). High purity boron is produced by electrolysis of molten potassium fluroborate and potassium chloride (KCl).
About the author
Nathan M
Nathan has a degree in BSc Biomedical Chemistry at Warwick University and a degree in PGCE Science at Wolverhampton University, UK. Nathan's subject matter ranges from general chemistry and organic chemistry. Nathan also created the curriculum on Breaking Atom in the course page.
Citation
B
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