B
10.810Boron
Bor
Boron is a metalloid found in borates and borosilicate materials. It is important in heat-resistant glass, detergents, boron carbide, boron nitride, plant nutrition and neutron-absorbing applications.
5
10.81 g/mol
[He] 2s² 2p¹
2 | 3
2.04
2.34 g/cm³
2075.8 °C
3926.8 °C
Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac
Boron was isolated in 1808 by Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis Jacques Thenard in France and independently by Humphry Davy in England. Its name is connected to borax, a boron-containing mineral.
Boron-10
Natural abundance: About 19.9%. Strong neutron absorber used in nuclear and radiation-shielding applications.Boron-11
Natural abundance: About 80.1%. The most abundant stable isotope of boron.H₃BO₃
Boric AcidUsed in antiseptics, buffers, flame retardants and boron chemistry.Na₂B₄O₇·10H₂O
BoraxUsed in detergents, glass production and laboratory buffers.BF₃
Boron TrifluorideStrong Lewis acid catalyst used in organic synthesis.B₄C
Boron CarbideVery hard ceramic used in abrasives and armor.BN
Boron NitrideCeramic material used in lubricants, thermal management and high-temperature applications.- Borosilicate glass such as laboratory glassware and heat-resistant cookware
- Borax and boric acid in detergents, antiseptics and glazes
- Boron carbide for abrasives and armor materials
- Boron nitride for high-performance ceramics and lubricants
- Boron-10 for neutron absorption, shielding and reactor control
Boron is essential for plant cell walls and plant growth. In humans it is not classified as an essential nutrient, but small amounts are commonly obtained from fruits, vegetables and nuts.
- Boron trifluoride is electron deficient: boron has only six electrons around it, so BF₃ acts as a Lewis acid.
- Boron can produce a green color in some flame and pyrotechnic applications.
- Boron-10 is especially useful because it absorbs neutrons effectively.
- Borosilicate glass is valued because it resists thermal shock.
- Boron has atomic number 5 and is classified as a metalloid.
- Its electron configuration is [He] 2s² 2p¹.
- Boron sits in group 13 and has three valence electrons.
- Boron compounds such as BF₃ and BCl₃ are classic electron-deficient Lewis acids.
What is the atomic number of boron?
The atomic number of boron is 5.
What is the electron configuration of boron?
Boron has the electron configuration [He] 2s² 2p¹.
Is boron a metal?
No. Boron is classified as a metalloid.
Why is boron trifluoride a Lewis acid?
Boron trifluoride is electron deficient because boron has only six electrons around it, so BF₃ can accept an electron pair.
What are the main allotropes of boron?
Important boron allotropes include amorphous boron, alpha-rhombohedral boron, beta-rhombohedral boron and gamma-boron.
What is boron used for?
Boron is used in borosilicate glass, detergents, boron carbide, boron nitride, plant nutrition and neutron-absorbing materials.