Borate

The borate ion is BO33-.

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A borate is a compound of boron and oxygen with more electropositive elements.

Related Topics:
Boron - Oxygen

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Boron found in nature is always some kind of borate mineral. Sometimes it is combined with silicate to form a borosilicate.

Related Topics:
Silicate - Borosilicate

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Borate exists in many forms. In acid conditions, we have boric acid, H3BO3. And in more basic conditions, we have dihydrogen borate ion, H2BO3-, the hydrogen borate ion, HBO32-, and finally borate ion, BO33-.

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Borate can form many polymeric ions. Especially common is the tetraborate ion, B4O72-; also we have the hydrogen tetraborate ion, HB4O7-. We also find triborate, pentaborate, and so on. The various metaborate ions have an empirical formula of BO2-, and form metaborate compounds.

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For the borate compounds, formation of complicated infinite anion structures is extensive, perhaps beaten only by silicates.

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Common borate salts include sodium metaborate, NaBO2, and sodium tetraborate, Na4B4O7. The latter also occurs naturally as borax.

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The mining of boron minerals is often referred to as borate mining. Various forms of borate are used as wood preservatives.

Related Topics:
Boron - Wood - Preservative

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Borate esters include trimethyl borate, B(OCH3)3, which is used as a precursor to boronic esters for Suzuki couplings.

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