Boron

: This article is about the chemical element. See Boron, Territoire de Belfort for the commune of the Territoire de Belfort département in France. See Robert de Boron for the medieval poet.

Notable characteristics

Boron is electron-deficient, possessing a vacant p-orbital. It is an electrophile. Compounds of boron often behave as Lewis acids, readily bonding with electron-rich substances in an attempt to quench boron's insatiable hunger for electrons.

Related Topics:
Electron - P-orbital - Electrophile - Lewis acid

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Optical characteristics of this element include the transmittance of infrared light. At standard temperatures boron is a poor electrical conductor but is a good conductor at high temperatures.

Related Topics:
Infrared - Electrical conductor

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Boron nitride can be used to make materials that are as hard as diamond. The nitride also acts as an electrical insulator but conducts heat similar to a metal. This element also has lubricating qualities that are similar to graphite. Boron is also similar to carbon with its capability to form stable covalently bonded molecular networks.

Related Topics:
Boron nitride - Diamond - Insulator - Metal - Graphite - Carbon - Covalently bonded

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