Boron

How has boron changed the

world?

DiscoveryBoron was discovered twice, once by Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jaques Thénard, two French chemists, and the second time by Sir Humphry Davy, an English chemist, in 1808. However, boron has been mentioned since 860 A.D. in alchemical books and studies. The Persian alchemist Rhazes seem to have written about boron around that time.

Boron – Element, compound or mixture?Boron was discovered twice, once by Joseph-Louis Gay-Lussac and Louis-Jaques Thénard, two French chemists, and the second time by Sir Humphry Davy, an English chemist, in 1808. However, boron has been mentioned since 860 A.D. in alchemical books and studies. The Persian alchemist Rhazes seem to have written about boron around that time.

Chemical PropertiesBoron combines with oxygen to form trioxide. Boron is not soluble in water, and normally does not react with acids, unless in powder form. It dissolves in molten metals.

Physical PropertiesBoron occurs in many different allotropes. One form of boron is as a clear red crystal. It also forms as a black crystal with a slightly metallic appearance. Boron can also occur as a brown powder substance with no crystalline structure. All forms of boron happen to have high melting points, between 2,200 and 2,300 degrees Celcius.

Uses and ApplicationsBoron is used to make certain types of alloys. One of the most important of these alloys are one of the strongest magnets on Earth, used in microphones, headphones, and other electronic technical items. Boron is also used in control rods to be raised and lowered in a reactor. Boron is also used as supplements as medicine.

Development of Boron in Today’s SocietyToday, boron is used as a medicine for building strong bones, treating types of arthritis building muscle, and increasing testosterone levels. It also helps to improve thinking skills and muscle coordination. Boron can also be used to treat yeast infections. Boron was also used as a food preservative in older times.Boron is also found in many everyday items like ceramics, soaps, glass, flare guns, and fibreglass. There is also a type of cancer treatment called BNCT Boron Neutron Capture Therapy), which, when fully developed , can be a successful cancer treatment.

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-894-boron.aspx?activeingredientid=894&activeingredientname=boronWebMD 2015 BORON

http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/A-C/Boron.htmlAdvameg, Inc. 2015, BORON

http://www.chem4kids.com/files/elements/005_speak.htmlRader, Andrew 2015 BO-RON