LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Boron: Compounds
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Boron is a compound that occurs in nature. It is often found combined with other substances to form compounds called borates. Common borate compounds include boric acid, salts of borates, and boron oxide. Several companies in the United States produce most of the world's borates by processing boron compounds. Borates are used mostly to produce glass. They are ... used in fire retardants, leather tanning industries, cosmetics, photographic materials, soaps and cleaners, and for high-energy fuel.
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Uses: Boron compounds are being evaluated for treating arthritis. Boron compounds are used to produce borosilicate glass. Boron nitride is extremely hard, behaves as an electrical insulator, yet conducts heat, and has lubricating properties similar to graphite. Amorphous boron provides a green color in pyrotechnic devices. Boron compounds, such as borax and boric acid, have many uses. Boron-10 is used as a control for nuclear reactors, to detect neutrons, and as a shield for nuclear radiation.
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Boron forms several commercially important compounds. The most important boron compound is sodium borate pentahydrate (Na2B4O7·5H2O). Large amounts of this compound are used in the manufacture of fiberglass insulation and sodium perborate bleach. The second most important compound is boric acid (H3BO3), which is used to manufacture textile fiberglass and is used in cellulose insulation as a flame retardant. Sodium borate decahydrate (Na2B4O7·10H2O), better known as borax, is the third most important boron compound. Borax is used in laundry products and as a mild antiseptic.
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Boron compounds are replaced by chlorine and enzymes in detergents. Making of enamels and glass products, lithium compounds are used. However, the boron ores, which has been known, can easily last meeting the demands for boron compounds for many coming years.
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Boron is present in the environment in boron-containing compounds called borates. Borates dissolved in water can adsorb onto, and desorb from, the many different surfaces found in rivers and streams. The amount of borate adsorption depends on the water’s pH and the concentration of borate in the water. Borates dissolved in water are very stable, and do not react with oxygen or other chemicals which may be present in the water, or undergo changes from one type of borate to another. Also, animals and plants are not able to convert borates from one form to another by biological processes.
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Boron compounds are being investigated for use in a broad range of applications, including as components in sugar-permeable membranes, carbohydrate sensors and bioconjugates. Medicinal applications being investigated include boron neutron capture therapy and drug delivery. Other boron compounds show promise in treating arthritis.
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