Boring Boron? 2


In Boring Boron, I discussed the formation of the two main isotopes of boron, now lets talk about boron's chemistry.

Upon production of boron via cosmic nucleosynthesis in Earths atmosphere, boron descends to Earths surface and over time crystallises as a mineral. Elemental boron cannot be isolated naturally, instead it is extracted in the form of a rock mineral called borax.

Borax contains an oxide form of boron which crystallises as a sodium salt, this is called a borate compound. The two main types found naturally are borax and kernite:

Figure 1: Two forms of borate isolated naturally, a) borax and b) kernite.

The depicted structures are isolated ion pairs, inside the rock mineral these polymerise via the hydroxy (OH) groups. Kernite exists as the dehydrated form of borax.

Borax and kernite are incredibly useful. Commercially they can be used as a pesticide and a fungicide for crops on large scales. They are also used as a metal fusing agent during welding processes. This is because borax removes oxide layers found on metal surfaces, in doing so this produces tighter bind between metals upon fusion.

Should the natural crystallisation process of borax occur with silicates (compounds containing silicon and oxygen), a borosilicate complex is produced. These can also be produced artificially by performing a molten fusion of silicon dioxides (silica) with borax. Some examples of borosilicates would be reedmergnerite and danburite:

Figure 2: Two forms of borosilicates isolated naturally or produced synthetically, a) reedmergnerite and b) danburite.

As with borax and kernite, these borosilicates are the isolated ion pairs and exist primarily as the polymerised form via the hydroxy groups.

Borosilicates commercially are also highly useful. Their optical and heat resistant properties make them incredibly useful for high performance glassware often used in the laboratory, kitchen and even telescopes! They should be familiar to you as the brand name Pyrex.

So to be 'transparent' with you, boron isn't boring.

Still not convinced? Stay tuned as boron's story is far from finished!

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