Question

Why does boron not form ${B^{3 + }}$ ion?

Answer 1

Boron is a chemical element with atomic number five and it is a low abundant element that is found in the earth’s crust and solar system. It is a metalloid. It is a poor conductor of electricity and can also be found in flare guns and fiber glasses.

Complete step by step answer:
-Boron is present in over a hundred minerals on Earth. But it is extremely difficult to produce, even in the laboratory.
-However, ${B^{ + 3}}$does not exist as native ion because ionizing three electrons from a boron atom is highly energy demanding and therefore it is not possible in general chemical reactions.
-The atomic number of Boron is five. It’s electronic configuration is $1{s^2}2{s^2}2{p^1}$. When one electron is removed, a half filled orbital is left. So the third ionization enthalpy is quite high.
-Since, the total energy needed to make ${B^{3 + }}$ is the total of all the ionization enthalpies so an enormous amount of energy is required to form this ion which is not possible.
-It has 3 valence electrons which it prefers to share rather than donating them. As ${B^{3 + }}$ ion is very small in size and unstable, hence, it does not form an octet.

Note:
Sodium tetraborate dehydrates or borax is the most important compound of boron, which is used to insulate fiberglass and sodium perborate bleach. Further, boric acid is one of the important compounds in textile products. Boron compounds are also used in organic synthesis, a particular type of glass manufacture and as a wood preservative.