Boron

Table Of Contents

What is Boron
Where Is It Found
History
Boron Identification
Properties and Characteristics of Boron Element
Atomic Data of Boron (Element Number 5)
Boron Uses
Is It Dangerous
Interesting Facts
Boron (B Element) Cost

What is Boron

Boron (pronunciation BO-ron ^[2]), represented by the chemical symbol or chemical formula B ^[1], is hard and brittle in its crystalline form ^[22]. It has allotropes in the form of an amorphous powder and three major crystalline forms ^[34]. Naturally occurring B has two stable isotopes with mass numbers 10 and 11 ^{[1, 2]}. Besides that, it has 11 synthetic isotopes, some of which are radioactive, with mass numbers ranging from 7 to 17 that have known half-lives ^[3]. It doesn’t chemically react with air (oxygen) at normal temperature but does so at higher temperatures to form its oxide. It doesn’t normally react with water but reacts vigorously with halogens to form boron halides ^[11].

Boron Symbol

Where Is It Found

On earth, the metalloid can be found in volcanic spring waters as orthoboric acid and in the minerals colemanite and borax as borates. Large borax deposits are present in Turkey. However, the most important source is the mineral rasorite that has abundance in the Mojave Desert in California, USA ^[1]. It has a natural source in groundwater due to leaching from soils and rocks containing borosilicates and borates ^[33]. It has a variety of functions in almost all living things, is a trace element in humans and an essential micronutrient of plants ^{[23, 29]}.

The human body should have a daily intake of 2 milligrams of B from his diet. Raisins, almonds, prunes and hazelnuts are boron-rich food ^{[1, 8]}.

Picture of Boron

History

Origin of Its Name: Its name is derived from the Arabic word ‘buraq’, a term signifying the element ^{[1, 2]}.

Who Discovered Boron and Where: French chemists, Louis-Josef Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jacques Thénard in Paris, France, and English chemist, Humphry Davy in London, UK, working independently ^{[1, 2]}.

When Was It Discovered: Its discovery year is 1808 ^[1].

How Was It Discovered

For centuries Lake Yamdok Cho in Tibet was the only source of borax that was used by goldsmiths as a flux. In 1808, the French and English chemists mentioned above extracted the element independently by heating borax with potassium. However, they could not produce pure B which is very difficult to obtain. French chemist, Henri Moissan isolated a purer form in 1892. Eventually, in 1909, American chemist E. Weintraub successfully produced pure B in the USA by sparking boron chloride vapor and hydrogen. It had very different properties from the varieties of B previously reported ^{[1, 39]}.

Boron

Boron Identification
Atomic Number	5 ^[1]
CAS Number	7440-42-8 ^[1]
Position in the periodic table	Group	Period	Block
	13 ^[1]	2 ^[1]	p ^[1]

Location Of Boron in the Periodic Table

Properties and Characteristics of Boron Element

General Properties
Atomic mass		10.81 atomic mass units [1]
Atomic weight/relative atomic mass		10.81 ^[1]
Mass number		11 ^[6]
Molar mass/molecular weight		10.81 g/mol ^[7]
Physical Properties
Color/appearance		Black ^{[1, 3]}
Luster		Yes, a small amount ^[20]
Odor		None ^[16]
Texture		Rough ^[20]
Ductility		Yes ^[24]
Melting point/freezing point		2077°C, 3771°F ^[1]
Boiling point		4000°C, 7232°F ^[1]
Density		2.34 g cm^-3 ^[1]
Physical state of matter at room temperature (normal phase)		Solid ^[1]
Hardness (Mohs scale)		9.3 ^[21]
Electrical conductivity		0.0001 S/m ^[21]
Thermal Conductivity		27 W/(m K) ^[21]
Magnetic Properties
Magnetic ordering	Diamagnetic ^[21]
Magnetic susceptibility	-9.41×10^-11 m³/mol ^[21]
Chemical Properties
Oxidation state/Oxidation number		+1, +2, +3^[2]

Atomic Data of Boron (Element Number 5)

Valence electrons/valency	3 ^[4]
Quantum numbers
– n	2 ^[4]
– ℓ	1 ^[4]
– m_ℓ	-1 ^[4]
– m_s	+½ ^[4]
Electron configuration (noble gas configuration)	[He] 2s²2p¹ ^[1]
Crystal structure	Rhombohedral ^[25]
Atomic structure
– Number of Electrons	5 ^[3]
– Number of Neutrons	6 ^[3]
– Number of Protons	5 ^[3]
Energy levels ^[3]
– First Energy Level	2
– Second Energy Level	3
Radius of atom
– Atomic Radius	1.92 Å ^[1]
– Covalent Radius	0.84 Å ^[1]
Electronegativity (Pauling scale)	2.04 ^[1]
Ionization energy (kJmol^-1) ^[1]	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th
	800.637	2427.069	3659.751	25025.905	32826.802	–	–

Boron Electron Configuration (Bohr Model)

Boron Lewis Dot Structure/Electron Dot Diagram

Boron Uses

Boron supplements are used as medicines to treat painful menstruation, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, depression, building strong muscles and bones, increasing sex hormone testosterone levels. It benefits the body by increasing estrogen levels in post-menopausal women and healthy men. Estrogen helps in maintaining a sound mental and bone health ^[5]. The element also reduces skin aging, inflammation, brain fog, hair loss (it promotes hair growth), fungal infections and parasitic attacks of Candida ^{[18, 19]}. Boron deficiency can cause osteoporosis and psoriasis ^{[26, 37]}.
Being a good neutron absorber, boron 10 is used in the control rods of nuclear reactors, as a neutron detector and radiation shield ^[2].
Its compound, sodium borate or borax is used in making eye drops, washing powders (laundry detergents), mild antiseptics, tile glazes, food and wood preservatives, bleach and other products that are used in everyday life ^[1].
Boron compounds are used in organic fertilizers, insecticides, pesticides and agriculture ^[9].
In boron neutron capture therapy for treating cancer and in neodymium magnets and fishing (fly) rods ^{[13, 27]}.
Borosilicate glass is an example of boron’s application in the glass and ceramic industry ^[14].
Amorphous boron finds application as a rocket fuel igniter ^[1].
Boron fibers or filaments are used in the construction of tapes with high tensile strength ^[15].
It has importance in semiconductor doping ^[28]. For example, boron-doped diamond is an excellent material for electrodes ^[32].
Nickel boron coating on firearms protects them from wear and tear ^[31].
B is alloyed with steel, with the alloy named boron steel, to increase its hardness and prevent wear and tear ^[35].
Burning with a green flame, it is used to make fireworks ^[36].

Boron Images

Is It Dangerous

Pure boron is not known to be harmful. However, too much of it can cause poisoning and is hazardous to the body’s metabolism ^[1]. It is considered safe during pregnancy in doses less than 20 mg per day, though it is best to consult with your doctor before taking it ^[30]. WHO recommends the boron level in drinking water should not exceed 2.4 mg/L ^[38].

What Does Boron Look Like

Interesting Facts

The largest borax mine in the world is the Rio Tinto Boron Mine in Boron, California, which produces nearly half of the world’s borates ^[10].
Boron is the only metalloid of the boron family consisting of boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, and thallium ^[12].
Boron buckyballs could further nanoparticle research and help in hydrogen storage ^[17].

Things Made Out Of Boron

Boron (B Element) Cost

The pure metal is priced at $1114 for every 100 gram and in bulk, it costs $500 for the same quantity ^[3].

References

f-Block Elements

d-Block Elements

Diatomic Molecules

Radium-226

Americium

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Boron

What is Boron

Where Is It Found

History

Boron Identification

Properties and Characteristics of Boron Element

General Properties

Physical Properties

Magnetic Properties

Chemical Properties

Atomic Data of Boron (Element Number 5)

Boron Uses

Is It Dangerous

Interesting Facts

Boron (B Element) Cost

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