Elements

Boron

By 2014-07-03T00:00:00

Fruit on an olive tree

Source: © Shutterstock

John Emsley looks at the element that links olive trees with semiconductors

Most of the boron on Earth exists as sodium and calcium borates, of which sodium borates such as borax (Na2B4O7) are the main ones. These minerals are derivatives of boric acid (H3BO3).

Tibet is the only location where borax was reportedly found in the ancient world. It had crystallised as deposits near Lake Yamdrok Cho where it was located just below the soil surface. It is not certain when trade in borax from Tibet began, but by 1100AD goldsmiths were using borax as a flux to make working with molten metal easier.

Fertilising olive trees and forming one of the strongest magnets known are just two of boron's fascinating qualities, John Emsley explores this curious element.

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