BORON FOR UNDERGRADUATES Dr. Anand S. Burange Department of Chemistry, Wilson College, Mumbai Introduction You believe it or not, but we consume boron containing compound almost every day. For the safety storage of rice, it is sprinkled with boric acid (H 3 BO 3 ). Therefore, I personally would suggest washing rice multiple times before its consumption. How boron exists in nature? In nature it exists as a 'Tincal' which is a crude form of borax. Various boron containing compounds can be obtained from the borax. Borax, its preparation and reactions are discussed below. Borax (Na 2 B 4 O 7 .10 H 2 O) Borax is known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate and disodium tetraborate. It is white, soft and easily soluble in water. Borax is generally obtained from the mineral Colemanite (Ca 2 B 6 O 11 ). Colemanite on boiling with sodium carbonate gives borax, calcium carbonate and sodium metaborate. Reaction: Reactions of Borax Boric acid can be prepare...