This section of the scheme illustrates that the metalloid boron acts as a reductant similar to the Group 1 and 2 metals. However, boron is much more inert, and these reaction occur only at high temperatures.
The oxidation state of boron in all of these compounds is +3. The oxidation state of the other element in the compounds depends on its position in the periodic table. See Review page and Sodium file.
The formulae of the compounds can be written using oxidation states, adjusting the numbers of atoms so that the overall charge is zero.
Boron nitride (BN) has graphite and diamond forms similar to carbon. This is understandable in light of the fact that the total number of valence electrons available (3 for B + 5 for N) is the same as for C-C (4 + 4).
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| BCl3 | BF3 | BN + H2 | B2O3 |
The oxidation state of boron in all of these compounds is +3. The oxidation state of the other element in the compounds depends on its position in the periodic table. See Review page and Sodium file.
The formulae of the compounds can be written using oxidation states, adjusting the numbers of atoms so that the overall charge is zero.
Boron nitride (BN) has graphite and diamond forms similar to carbon. This is understandable in light of the fact that the total number of valence electrons available (3 for B + 5 for N) is the same as for C-C (4 + 4).