p-block (Group 13 and 14)

Grade 11 Chemistry Session 2

Contents
1 Important compounds of boron

2 Uses of boron and aluminium and their compounds

Contents
1 Important compounds of boron

2 Uses of boron and aluminium and their compounds

Important compounds
of boron

Useful compounds of boron

Borax Orthoboric acid Diborane

Na2B4O7.10H2O H3BO3 B2H6

Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

It is a white crystalline solid of formula Na2B4O7⋅10H2O. In fact it contains the

tetranuclear units [B4O5(OH)4]2- and correct formula; therefore, is
Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O.
Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

sp3 OH

sp2 B
sp2
O O

Na2 OH B O B OH .8H2O
O O

B
sp3
OH

BㅡOㅡB bonds = 5
2 Boron ⟶ sp3
2 Boron ⟶ sp2
Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

Borax dissolves in water to give an alkaline solution.

Na2B4O7 + 7H2O → 2NaOH + 4H3BO3 → 2H3BO3 + 2Na[B(OH)4]

Orthoboric
acid Acidic buffer
Strong base

Weak acid
Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

On heating, borax first loses water molecules and swells up. On further
heating it turns into a transparent liquid, which solidifies into glass like
material known as borax bead.
Δ Δ
Na2B4O7.10H2O Na2B4O7 2NaBO2 + B2O3
Sodium Boric
metaborate anhydride

borax bead
Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O) The borax powder swells up due
to the loss of water of
Borax powder is taken in crystallization and shrinks upon
a hot platinum wire loop the loop forming a transparent,
and held in the hottest colourless glassy bead.
part of the flame.

Hot bead is touched on

the salt sample, heated
again and the colour of
the bead is observed.
Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

In oxidising flame (non-luminous) In reducing flame (luminous)

Ion
In cold In hot In cold In hot

Blue Green Red opaque Colourless Cu2+

Reddish brown Violet Grey Grey Ni2+

Light violet Light violet Colourless Colourless Mn2+

Yellow Yellowish brown Green Green Fe3+

Blue Blue Blue Blue Co2+

Important compounds
of boron
Borax (Na2[B4O5(OH)4].8H2O)

Colour of the beads is due to formation of metaborate of the metal.

MO + B2O3 → M(BO2)2

For example, when borax is heated in a Bunsen burner flame with CoO on a
loop of platinum wire, a blue coloured Co(BO2)2 bead is formed.
Let’s
Solve.
.
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Borax on heating with cobalt oxide forms a blue bead of

A Co(BO2)2

B CoBO2

C Co3(BO3)2

D Na3Co(BO3)2
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Borax on heating with cobalt oxide forms a blue bead of

A Co(BO2)2

B CoBO2

C Co3(BO3)2

D Na3Co(BO3)2

Solution

Na2B4O7 ⟶ 2NaBO2 + B2O3

B2O3 + CoO ⟶ Co(BO2)2

(Blue bead)
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Borax is used as a buffer since

A Its aq. solution contains equal amount of weak acid and its salt

B It is easily available

C Its aq. solution contains equal amount of strong acid and its salt

D Statement that borax is a buffer, is wrong

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Borax is used as a buffer since

A Its aq. solution contains equal amount of weak acid and its salt

B It is easily available

C Its aq. solution contains equal amount of strong acid and its salt

D Statement that borax is a buffer, is wrong

Solution

Na2B4O7 + 7H2O → 2NaOH + 4H3BO3.

2 moles of acid react with 2 moles of NaOH to give salt. Since the solution
contains both weak acid and its salt with strong base, it acts as buffer.
 ?
Quiz.
 ?
Quiz.
The borax bead is chemically -

A B2O3

B Na2B4O7

C Na3BO3

D B2O3 + NaBO2
 ?
Quiz.
The borax bead is chemically -

A B2O3

B Na2B4O7

C Na3BO3

D B2O3 + NaBO2

Solution
Δ Δ
Na2B4O7.10H2O Na2B4O7
2NaBO2 + B2O3
borax bead
Important compounds
of boron
Orthoboric acid, H3BO3

● It is a white crystalline solid, with soapy

touch.
● It is sparingly soluble in cold water but
highly soluble in hot water.
● Boric acid is a weak monobasic acid. It is
not a protonic acid but acts as a Lewis
acid by accepting electrons from a
hydroxyl ion:
B(OH)3 + 2HOH → [B(OH)4]– + H3O+
Important compounds
of boron
Orthoboric acid, H3BO3

Preparation:
(i) acidifying an aqueous solution of borax.
Na2B4O7 + 2HCl + 5H2O → 2NaCl + 4B(OH)3

(ii) It is also formed by the hydrolysis (reaction with water or dilute acid) of
most boron compounds (halides, hydrides, etc.)
BCl3 + 3H2O → B(OH)3 + 3HCl
B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) → 2B(OH)3(aq) + 6H2(g)
Important compounds
of boron
Orthoboric acid, H3BO3

Structure: It has a layer structure in which planar BO3 units are joined by
hydrogen bonds as shown.
Important compounds
of boron
Orthoboric acid, H3BO3

Heating above Further

Orthoboric 370 K Metaboric heating Boric
acid, acid, oxide,
H3BO3 HBO2 B2O3
Let’s
Solve.
.
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
When borax is dissolved in water

A B(OH)3 is formed only

B [B(OH)4]– is formed only

C both B(OH)3 and [B(OH)4]– are formed

D [B3O3(OH)4]– is formed only

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
When borax is dissolved in water

A B(OH)3 is formed only

B [B(OH)4]– is formed only

C both B(OH)3 and [B(OH)4]– are formed

D [B3O3(OH)4]– is formed only

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
When borax is dissolved in water

Solution

Borax dissolves in water to give,

Na2B4O7 + 7H2O → 2NaOH + 4H3BO3
Now boric acid being a weak acid, reacts with some of NaOH(aq),
H3BO3 + NaOH → Na[B(OH)4]
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Which of the following statements about H3BO3 is not correct?

It has a layer structure in which planar BO3 units are joined by

A
hydrogen bonds.

B It does not act as proton donor but acts as a Lewis acid by

accepting hydroxyl ion.

C It is a strong tribasic acid.

D It is prepared by acidifying an aqueous solution of borax

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
Which of the following statements about H3BO3 is not correct?

It has a layer structure in which planar BO3 units are joined by

A
hydrogen bonds.

B It does not act as proton donor but acts as a Lewis acid by

accepting hydroxyl ion.

C It is a strong tribasic acid.

D It is prepared by acidifying an aqueous solution of borax

Solution

It is a weak monobasic acid.

 ?
Quiz.
 ?
Quiz.
Boric acid is an acid because its molecule

A contains replaceable H+ ion

B gives up a proton

C accepts OH– from water releasing proton

D combines with proton from water molecule.

 ?
Quiz.
Boric acid is an acid because its molecule

A contains replaceable H+ ion

B gives up a proton

C accepts OH– from water releasing proton

D combines with proton from water molecule.

Solution
Orthoboric acid H3BO3 behaves as a weak monobasic acid. It does not
donate protons like most acids, but rather it accepts OH−. It is therefore a
Lewis acid.
 ?
Quiz.
Orthoboric acid when heated to red hot gives -

A Metaboric acid

B Pyroboric acid

C Boron and water

D Boric oxide
 ?
Quiz.
Orthoboric acid when heated to red hot gives -

A Metaboric acid

B Pyroboric acid

C Boron and water

D Boric oxide

Solution
Heating above Further
Orthoboric 370 K Metaboric heating Boric
acid, acid, oxide,
H3BO3 HBO2 B2O3
 ?
Quiz.
Structure of boric acid (H3BO3) is -

A Trigonal

B Tetragonal

C Layer structure in which BO3 units are linked with oxygen

D Layer structure in which BO3 units are linked by H-bonding

 ?
Quiz.
Structure of boric acid (H3BO3) is -

A Trigonal

B Tetragonal

C Layer structure in which BO3 units are linked with oxygen

D Layer structure in which BO3 units are linked by H-bonding

 ?
Quiz.
Structure of boric acid (H3BO3) is -
Solution
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

The boron hydrides are sometimes called boranes by analogy with the
alkanes (hydrocarbons). Almost 20 boranes have been reported, and 11 are
well characterized.
Boranes

Nido-boranes Arachno-boranes
(BnHn+4) (BnHn+6)
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Diborane is the simplest and most studied of the

hydrides. It is used to prepare the higher boranes.
● It is a colourless, highly toxic gas with a b.p. of
180 K.
● Diborane catches fire spontaneously upon
exposure to air.
● It burns in oxygen releasing an enormous
amount of energy.
B2H6 +3O2 → B2O3 + 3H2O; ΔH = –1976 kJ/mole
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Preparation:
● Lab method: oxidation of sodium borohydride with iodine.
2NaBH4 + I2 → B2H6 + 2NaI + H2
● Industrial method: reaction of BF3 with sodium hydride at 450 K.
2BF3 + 6NaH → B2H6 + 6NaF
● It can also be prepared by treating boron trifluoride with LiAlH4 in
diethyl ether.
4BF3 + 3LiAlH4 → 2B2H6 + 3LiF + 3AlF3
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Chemical Properties:

● Boranes are readily hydrolysed by water to give boric acid.

B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) → 2B(OH)3(aq) + 6H2(g)

● Diborane undergoes cleavage reactions with Lewis bases(L) to give

borane adducts, BH3⋅L.

B2H6 + 2NMe3 → 2BH3.NMe3

B2H6 + CO → 2BH3.CO
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Chemical Properties:
Diborane also reacts with ammonia, but the products depend on the
conditions.
B2H6.2NH3
Low temperature
B2H6 + NH3 Or
1 : 2 ratio
[BH2(NH3)2]+ [BH4]–

Further
heating

B3N3H6
high temperature
B2H6 + NH3 Borazine
1 : 2 ratio
“Inorganic Benzene”
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Borazine (B3N3H6) is known as “inorganic benzene” in view of its ring

structure with alternate BH and NH groups.
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6
3-centre-2-electron
Bonding in diborane bridge bonds (banana
bonds)

sp3 orbitals of boron with solid line:

Has electrons from boron
sp3 orbitals of boron with dashed line:
Without an electron
2-centre-2- electron bonds
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

Structure of diborane:
● The four terminal hydrogen atoms and the two boron atoms lie in one
plane.
● Above and below this plane, there are two bridging hydrogen atoms.
Important compounds
of boron
Diborane, B2H6

● Boron also forms a series of hydridoborates; the most important one

is the tetrahedral [BH4]– ion.
● Tetrahydridoborates of several metals are known. Lithium and sodium
tetrahydridoborates, also known as borohydrides, are prepared by the
reaction of metal hydrides with B2H6 in diethyl ether.
2MH + B2H6 → 2M+[BH4]– (M = Li or Na)
● Both LiBH4 and NaBH4 are used as reducing agents in organic
synthesis. They are useful starting materials for preparing other metal
borohydrides
Let’s
Solve.
.
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
. JEE Mains 2019

Diborane (B2H6) reacts independently with O2 and H2O to

produce, respectively

A B2O3 and H3BO3

B B2O3 and [BH4]–

C H3BO3 and B2O3

D HBO2 and H3BO3

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
. JEE Mains 2019

Diborane (B2H6) reacts independently with O2 and H2O to

produce, respectively

A B2O3 and H3BO3

B B2O3 and [BH4]–

C H3BO3 and B2O3

D HBO2 and H3BO3

Solution

B2H6 + 3O2 → B2O3 + 3H2O; B2H6(g) + 6H2O(l) → 2B(OH)3(aq) +

6H2(g)
Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
There are two H-bridge bonds in diborane molecule because
there are -

A Only 12 electrons

B 14 electrons

C 2 electrons less than required for bonding

D Two electrons more than required for bonding

Recap.
Let’s Solve.
.
There are two H-bridge bonds in diborane molecule because
there are -

A Only 12 electrons

B 14 electrons

C 2 electrons less than required for bonding

D Two electrons more than required for bonding

Solution
 ?
Quiz.
 ?
Quiz. JEE Mains 2019

The number of 2c-2e and 3c-2e bonds in diborane,

respectively are:

A 2 and 1

B 4 and 2

C 2 and 2

D 2 and 4
 ?
Quiz. JEE Mains 2019

The number of 2c-2e and 3c-2e bonds in diborane,

respectively are:

A 2 and 1 Solution

3c-2e bridge bonds (banana bonds)

B 4 and 2

C 2 and 2

D 2 and 4

2c-2e bonds
 ?
Quiz.
The type of hybridisation of boron in diborane is

A sp3

B sp2

C sp

D sp3d2
 ?
Quiz.
The type of hybridisation of boron in diborane is

A sp3 Solution

B sp2

C sp

D sp3d2
sp3 orbitals of boron with solid line:
Has electrons from boron
sp3 orbitals of boron with dashed line:
Without an electron
 Important compounds
of boron
Boron nitride (BN)x
0.1446 Covalent bonds
nm

Nitrogen (N)
- Layered Solid atoms

- Inorganic graphite Van der waals

bond
- White solid

0.6661nm
- Insulator Boron (B)
atoms

Graphite form of BN 1400−1800°C Diamond form of BN

(ρ = 2.25 g cm−3) 85000 atm (ρ = 3.45 g cm −3)
Important compounds
of boron
Boron halides (BX3)

Preparation:
(i) From Boron: 2B + 3Cl2 ⟶ 2BCl3
(ii) From B2O3: B2O3 + 3CaF2 + 3H2SO4 ⟶ 2BF3 + 3CaSO4 + 3H2O

Properties:
(i) Boron halides are hydrolysed readily by water.
BCl3 + H2O ⟶ H3BO3 + 3HCl
2BF3 + H2O ⟶ H3BO3 + 2HF + 2HF + HBF4

(ii) Forms abduct with Lewis bases e.g. H3N, H2S etc.
H3N + BF3 ⟶ H3N ⟶ BF3

(iii) Boron halides are Lewis acid, and acid strength follows the order
BF3 < BCl3 < BBr3 < Bl3
This is due to p𝜋-p𝜋 back bonding becoming weak on moving down the group.
 Important compounds
of boron
Boric anhydride or Boron trioxide (B2O3)

Preparation:

H3BO3 100°C HBO2 160°C H2B4O7 Red B2O3 (B2O3 is a weakly acidic)
oxide. heat
↓ ↓
Metaboric Tetraboric
acid acid

Chemical Reactions:
Important compounds
of aluminium
Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3.6H2O)

Preparation:

● Aluminium when treated with HCl gives Aluminium chloride.

2Al + 6HCl ⟶ 2AlCl3 + 3H2

● Ammonium oxide or Aluminium hydroxide when reacted with HCl forms

Aluminium chloride.

Al2O3 + 6HCl ⟶ 2AlCl3 + 3H2O

Al(OH)3 + 3HCl ⟶ AlCl3 + 3H2O

● AlCl3 solution when concentrated to give crystalline AlCl3.6H2O.

Important compounds
of aluminium
Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3.6H2O)

Properties

● AlCl3 is a white crystalline substance, hygroscopic in nature.

● AlCl3 is solution exists as [Al(H2O)6]+3 and 3Cl– ions.

● AlCl3 exists as a dimer in gaseous state.

Dimer structure of AlCl3 (Al2Cl6 )

Important compounds
of aluminium
Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3.6H2O)
Properties
● Crystalline Aluminium chloride (AlCl3.6H2O) when heated undergoes
hydrolysis instead of giving anhydrous salt.
𝝙
2AlCl3.6H2O 2Al(OH)3 + 6HCl
𝝙
2Al(OH)3 Al2O3 + 3H2O

● When NaOH is added dropwise to AlCl3, a white precipitate of Al(OH)3

forms which dissolves in excess of NaOH forming sodium meta
aluminate.
AlCl3 + 3NaOH ⟶ Al(OH)3↓ + 3NaCl

Al(OH)3 + NaOH ⟶ NaAlO2 + 2H2O

Sodium meta
aluminate
Important compounds
of aluminium
Aluminium Chloride (AlCl3.6H2O)
Properties
● Crystalline Aluminium chloride (AlCl3.6H2O) when heated undergoes
hydrolysis instead of giving anhydrous salt.
𝝙
2AlCl3.6H2O 2Al(OH)3 + 6HCl
𝝙
2Al(OH)3 Al2O3 + 3H2O

● When NaOH is added dropwise to AlCl3, a white precipitate of Al(OH)3

forms which dissolves in excess of NaOH forming sodium meta
aluminate.
AlCl3 + 3NaOH ⟶ Al(OH)3↓ + 3NaCl

Al(OH)3 + NaOH ⟶ NaAlO2 + 2H2O

Sodium meta
aluminate
Contents
1 Important compounds of boron

2 Uses of boron and aluminium and their compounds

Uses of boron and aluminium
and their compounds
Boron fibres are used in Borax and boric acid is used in the
making bullet-proof vest and manufacture of heat resistant glasses
light composite material for (e.g., Pyrex), glass-wool and fibreglass.
aircraft.

The boron-10 (10B) isotope has high ability to absorb

neutrons and, therefore, metal borides are used in nuclear
industry as protective shields and control rods.
Uses of boron and aluminium
and their compounds
Borax is also used as a flux
for soldering metals, for
An aqueous solution of orthoboric acid is
heat, scratch and stain
generally used as a mild antiseptic.
resistant glazed coating to
earthenwares and as
constituent of medicinal
soaps.
Uses of boron and aluminium
and their compounds

Aluminium and its alloys can be given shapes of pipe, tubes, rods, wires,
plates or foils and, therefore, find uses in packing, utensil making,
construction, aeroplane and transportation industry.

NOTE: The use of aluminium and its compounds for domestic purposes
is now reduced considerably because of their toxic nature.
Summary.
Summary .
Important compounds of boron are:
● Borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O)
Borax is a white crystalline solid of formula Na2[B4O5(OH)4]·8H2O. The
borax bead test gives characteristic colours of transition metals.
● Orthoboric acid (H3BO3)
Boric acid, B(OH)3 is a weak monobasic acid; it acts as a Lewis acid by
accepting electrons from hydroxyl ion.
● Diborane (B2H6)
Diborane contains two bridging hydrogen atoms between two boron atoms;
these bridge bonds are considered to be three-centre two-electron bonds.
● Boron, aluminium and their compounds are used quite frequently in
daily life.
Thanks.