Boron is the first member of group –13 (IIIA) of the periodic table. Boron is a non- metal. It has a small size and high ionization energy due to which it can not lose its valence electrons to form B⁺³ ion. Its compounds especially the hydrides and halides are electron deficient and behave as Lewis acid.

(1) Ores of boron

(i)Borax or tincal : Na₂ B₄O₇ . 10H₂O

(ii) Kernite or Rasorite : Na₂ B₄O₇ . 4H₂O

(iii) Colemanite : Ca₂ B₆O₁₁ . 5H₂O

(iv) Orthoboric acid : H₃BO₃ (It occurs in the jets of steam called soffioni escaping from ground in the volcanic region of the Tuscany). Boron is present to a very small extent (0.001%) in earth’s crust.

(2) Extraction : Elemental boron in the form of dark brown powder is obtained either by reduction of boric oxide with highly electropositive metals like K, Mg, Al, Na, etc. in the absence of air and boron halides with hydrogen at high temperature eg.

By thermal decomposition of boron triiodide over red hot tungsten filament and boron hydrides for example,