Chemistry of p-Block Elements- Group 13

Reaction of Boron and Aluminium with Halogen

Boron with Halogens

  • Boron reacts with halogens to form trihalides.
  • Examples: BF3 (boron trifluoride), BCl3 (boron trichloride)

Boron Trifluoride (BF3)

  • Colourless, pungent smelling gas.
  • Used as a catalyst in organic synthesis.

Boron Trichloride (BCl3)

  • Colourless, toxic gas.
  • Used as a Lewis acid in organic reactions.

Aluminium with Halogens

  • Aluminium reacts with halogens to form trihalides.
  • Examples: AlCl3 (aluminium trichloride), AlBr3 (aluminium tribromide)

Aluminium Trichloride (AlCl3)

  • Colourless, crystalline solid.
  • Used as a catalyst in Friedel-Crafts reactions.

Aluminium Tribromide (AlBr3)

  • Yellow, crystalline solid.
  • Used as a catalyst in Diels-Alder reactions.

Boron Triiodide (BI3)

  • Yellow-green solid.
  • Used as a reagent in organic synthesis.

Boron Trifluoride-Ammonia Complex (BF3-NH3)

  • Colourless gas.
  • Forms a Lewis acid-base adduct.
  • Used in organic synthesis as a Lewis acid catalyst.

Aluminium Triiodide (AlI3)

  • Dark brown solid.
  • Less stable compared to other aluminium trihalides.

Aluminium Trifluoride-Ammonia Complex (AlF3-NH3)

  • White, crystalline powder.
  • Used as a catalyst in organic synthesis.

Trihalides of Boron and Aluminium

  • All trihalides of boron and aluminium are covalent compounds.
  • They have a planar or pyramidal shape due to the presence of a lone pair on the central atom.

Reaction of Boron Trihalides with Water

  • Boron trihalides reacts with water to form boric acids and hydrogen halides.
  • Examples:
    • BF3 + H2O → H3BO3 + HF
    • BCl3 + 3H2O → H3BO3 + 3HCl

Reaction of Aluminium Trihalides with Water

  • Aluminium trihalides react with water to form hydrated aluminium hydroxides and hydrogen halides.
  • Examples:
    • AlCl3 + 3H2O → Al(OH)3 + 3HCl
    • AlBr3 + 3H2O → Al(OH)3 + 3HBr

Boric Acid (H3BO3)

  • Weak monobasic acid.
  • Used in the production of borax, detergents, and cosmetics.

Aluminium Hydroxide (Al(OH)3)

  • White, gelatinous solid.
  • Used as an antacid and in the production of aluminum salts.

Reaction of Boron Trihalides with Alcohols

  • Boron trihalides react with alcohols to form alkoxides and hydrogen halides.
  • Examples:
    • BF3 + 3ROH → B(OR)3 + 3HF
    • BCl3 + 3ROH → B(OR)3 + 3HCl

Reaction of Aluminium Trihalides with Alcohols

  • Aluminium trihalides react with alcohols to form alkoxides and hydrogen halides.
  • Examples:
    • AlCl3 + 3ROH → Al(OR)3 + 3HCl
    • AlBr3 + 3ROH → Al(OR)3 + 3HBr

Alkoxides of Boron and Aluminium

  • Alkoxides of boron and aluminium are Lewis acids.
  • They are used as catalysts in organic reactions.

Boron Nitride (BN)

  • Similar in structure to carbon graphite.
  • White, crystalline solid.
  • Used as a lubricant and in high-temperature applications.

Aluminium Nitride (AlN)

  • White, crystalline solid.
  • Used in the production of electronic devices.

Nitrides of Boron and Aluminium

  • Nitrides of boron and aluminium are covalent compounds.
  • They have high melting points and are chemically inert.

Boron Halides as Lewis Acids

  • Boron halides act as Lewis acids due to the presence of an empty p orbital on boron.
  • They can accept an electron pair from a Lewis base.

Halides of Group 13 Elements

  • The halides of group 13 elements (B, Al, Ga, In, Tl) show similar trends in their properties.
  • As we move down the group, the metallic character increases.

Uses of Boron and Aluminium Halides

  • Boron and aluminium halides are used as catalysts in various organic reactions.
  • They are also used in the production of ceramics and electronic devices.

Industrial Applications of Boron and Aluminium Compounds

  • Boron compounds are used in the manufacture of borosilicate glass and fiberglass.
  • Aluminium compounds are used in the production of aluminum metal and alloys.

Environmental Impact of Boron and Aluminium Compounds

  • Boron and aluminium compounds can have adverse effects on the environment if not properly managed.
  • They can contaminate water sources and harm aquatic life.

Importance of Boron and Aluminium Compounds

  • Boron and aluminium compounds have significant industrial and technological importance.
  • They play a crucial role in various fields including agriculture, medicine, and materials science.

Summary: Reaction of Boron and Aluminium with Halogens

  • Boron and aluminium react with halogens to form trihalides.
  • Boron trihalides: BF3, BCl3, BI3, BF3-NH3
  • Aluminium trihalides: AlCl3, AlBr3, AlI3, AlF3-NH3.
  • They have various industrial applications as catalysts and reagents.

Summary: Reaction of Boron and Aluminium with Water and Alcohols

  • Boron and aluminium trihalides react with water to form boric acids and hydrated aluminium hydroxides.
  • They react with alcohols to form alkoxides.
  • These compounds find uses in various fields including pharmaceuticals and chemical industry.

Summary: Nitrides of Boron and Aluminium

  • Boron nitride and aluminium nitride are covalent compounds with unique properties.
  • They are used in high-temperature applications, electronics, and lubricants.

Summary: Boron and Aluminium Halides as Lewis Acids

  • Boron and aluminium halides act as Lewis acids.
  • They have important applications as catalysts in organic reactions.

Conclusion

  • The reaction of boron and aluminium with halogens is an important aspect of p-block chemistry.
  • Understanding these reactions and the properties of the resulting compounds is essential for understanding the chemistry of group 13 elements. The requested slides 21 to 30 are as follows:

Group 13 Elements in the Periodic Table

  • Group 13 elements consist of boron (B), aluminium (Al), gallium (Ga), indium (In), and thallium (Tl).
  • These elements have three valence electrons and belong to the p-block of the periodic table.

Similarities among Group 13 Elements

  • Group 13 elements have similar chemical properties.
  • They exhibit a +3 oxidation state and tend to lose three electrons to form a stable configuration.

Differences among Group 13 Elements

  • As we move down the group, atomic size and metallic character increase.
  • The melting and boiling points increase down the group.

Electron Configuration of Group 13 Elements

  • Boron: [He] 2s² 2p¹
  • Aluminium: [Ne] 3s² 3p¹
  • Gallium: [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p¹
  • Indium: [Kr] 4d¹⁰ 5s² 5p¹
  • Thallium: [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s² 6p¹

Reactivity of Group 13 Elements

  • Group 13 elements are less reactive compared to Group 1 and Group 2 elements.
  • They do not react vigorously with water or oxygen.

Reaction of Boron with Oxygen

  • Boron reacts with oxygen at high temperatures to form boron oxide (B2O3).
  • Example: 4B + 3O2 → 2B2O3

Reaction of Aluminium with Oxygen

  • Aluminium reacts with oxygen to form aluminium oxide (Al2O3).
  • Example: 4Al + 3O2 → 2Al2O3

Reaction of Group 13 Elements with Acids

  • Group 13 elements react with acids to produce hydrogen gas.
  • Example: 2Al + 6HCl → 2AlCl3 + 3H2

Reaction of Group 13 Elements with Nitric Acid

  • Group 13 elements react with concentrated nitric acid to form oxides and nitrogen oxides.
  • Example: 2Al + 6HNO3 → Al2O3 + 6NO2 + 3H2O

Introduction to Boron and Aluminium

  • Boron and aluminium are important elements with diverse applications.
  • They possess unique properties and exhibit interesting chemistry.

Boron (B)

  • Atomic number: 5
  • Atomic mass: 10.81 amu
  • Metalloid in nature
  • Exists in various forms, including amorphous boron, boron nitride, and boron carbide

Aluminium (Al)

  • Atomic number: 13
  • Atomic mass: 26.98 amu
  • Light, malleable metal
  • Abundant in Earth’s crust
  • Widely used in industries, especially in the form of aluminum alloys

Importance of Boron and Aluminium

  • Boron compounds are used in agriculture as fertilizers and pesticides.
  • Aluminium is utilized in the construction industry, transportation, and packaging.

Boron Family Hydrides

  • Boron and its heavier homologues in Group 13 form a series of hydrides.
  • Examples: boron hydrides (BxHy) and aluminium hydrides (AlxHy).

Diborane (B2H6)

  • Important boron hydride
  • Colorless, highly reactive gas
  • Used as a reducing agent and in the synthesis of boron compounds

Aluminium Hydrides

  • Various aluminium hydrides exist, including AlH3 and Al2H6.
  • Used in the preparation of other aluminium compounds and as reducing agents

Properties of Boron and Aluminium Hydrides

  • Hydrides of boron and aluminium possess unique molecular structures.
  • They exhibit interesting bonding patterns and reactivity.

Applications of Boron and Aluminium Hydrides

  • Hydrides of boron and aluminium find applications in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, fuels, and materials science.

Boron Oxides

  • Boron forms a range of oxides, including B2O3, B2O2, and B2O.

Boron Trioxide (B2O3)

  • White, crystalline solid
  • Used in the production of borosilicate glass and ceramics

Boron Suboxide (B2O2)

  • Dark solid with a metallic appearance
  • Utilized in the synthesis of boron carbide and other boron compounds

Aluminium Oxides

  • Aluminium oxide (Al2O3) is the most common oxide of aluminium.
  • Occurs naturally as corundum (ruby and sapphire) and is used as an abrasive and refractory material.

Uses of Boron and Aluminium Oxides

  • Boron and aluminium oxides have applications in glassmaking, as catalyst supports, and as thermal insulators.

Boron Carbides

  • Boron forms various carbides, including B4C and BC2N.

Boron Carbide (B4C)

  • Hard, black powder
  • Second hardest material known after diamond
  • Used in the production of bulletproof vests, cutting tools, and abrasives

Aluminium Carbides

  • Aluminium forms various carbides, including Al4C3 and Al2C.

Aluminium Carbide (Al4C3)

  • Dark grey powder
  • Used as a starting material for the production of methane and other organic compounds

Applications of Boron and Aluminium Carbides

  • Boron and aluminium carbides find uses in industries where hardness and abrasion resistance are important, such as armor plating and cutting tools.

Boron Nitrides

  • Boron forms various nitrides, including BN and polymeric borazines.

Boron Nitride (BN)

  • White, crystalline solid
  • Structurally similar to graphite
  • Used as a lubricant and in high-temperature applications

Aluminium Nitrides

  • Aluminium forms various nitrides, including AlN and Al6N.

Aluminium Nitride (AlN)

  • White, crystalline solid
  • Used in the production of electronic devices, such as LEDs and laser diodes

Applications of Boron and Aluminium Nitrides

  • Boron and aluminium nitrides find uses in high-temperature applications, electronics, and as additives to improve the properties of materials.

Oxides and Hydroxides of Boron

  • Boron forms various oxides and hydroxides, including boric acid and borax.

Boric Acid (H3BO3)

  • Weak monobasic acid
  • Used in the production of borax, detergents, and cosmetics

Borax (Na2B4O7·10H2O)

  • White, crystalline solid
  • Used as a cleaning agent, flux in metallurgy, and in ceramics

Oxides and Hydroxides of Aluminium

  • Aluminium forms various oxides and hydroxides, including alumina (Al2O3) and hydrated aluminium hydroxide (Al(OH)3).

Alumina (Al2O3)

  • White, crystalline solid
  • Used as a raw material in the production of aluminum and in refractories

Uses of Boron and Aluminium Compounds

  • Boron compounds find applications in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and materials science.
  • Aluminium compounds are widely used in industries such as transportation, construction, and packaging.

Boron in Agriculture

  • Boron compounds are essential micronutrients for plant growth and are added to fertilizers.
  • They help improve crop yields and the overall quality of agricultural produce.

Aluminium in Industries

  • Aluminium and its alloys are used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and construction.
  • The lightness, strength, and corrosion resistance make aluminium a versatile material.

Boron and Aluminium in Medicine

  • Boron compounds are utilized in the production of pharmaceuticals and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for cancer treatment.
  • Aluminium compounds are used in vaccines and antiperspirants.

Summary: Chemistry of Boron and Aluminium

  • Boron and aluminium exhibit unique properties and chemistry due to their electronic configurations.
  • Boron forms compounds with a wide range of elements, including oxygen, halogens, and nitrogen.
  • Aluminium is highly reactive and forms oxides, hydroxides, and various compounds with other elements.

Importance of Understanding Boron and Aluminium Chemistry

  • The knowledge of boron and aluminium chemistry is essential for various fields, including materials science, agriculture, and medicine.
  • Understanding their reactivity, properties, and applications helps us utilize these elements effectively.

Conclusion

  • Boron and aluminium are important elements with diverse applications and interesting chemistry.
  • Their compounds play crucial roles in various industries and contribute to technological advancements.
  • Studying and understanding the chemistry of these elements is essential for a comprehensive understanding of the p-block elements.