Question

Draw a reaction wheel for boron.

Answer 1

• ​the chemistry of boran more closely resembles the chemistry of silicon than that of the other elements in Group 13 of the periodic table.
• the chemical reactivity of boron depends on its form, generally the crystalline form is far less reactive than the amorphous form.

​for example, the amorphous powder is oxidized slowly in air at room temperatures and ignites spontaneously at high temperatures to form an oxide.B₂O₃

                          4B+3O2 (g) --> 2B₂O₃ (s)

• ​Boron does not reacts with water under normal conditions
• Boron reacts vigorously with halogens fluorine F2, chlorine Cl2,bromine Br2 to form the trihalide boron(III)

​                     2B(s) + F₂ (g) ---> 2BF₃(g)

                     2B(s) + Cl₂ (g) ---> 2BCl₃(g)

                      2B(s) + I₂ (g) ---> 2BI₃(g)

• ​crystaline born does not reacts with conc.HCl or HF, powdered boron oxidises slowly when treated with concentrated H2SO4
• Boron used as Deoxidizer or Degasifier in metallurgy.
• Because it absorbs neutrons, it is used in the shielding material and in some control rods of nuclear reactors.
• Boron does not occur free in nature. Large deposits of borax, kermite, colemanite and occurs in the mineral tourmaline.