Question

Important trends and anomalous properties of boron

Answer 1

Anomalous Properties of Boron

Though aluminum is a metal, Boron is a non-metal.

Aluminium is a good conductor of electricity but Boron is not.

Boron exists in two structures amorphous and crystalline. Aluminum is a delicate metal and does not exist in various structures.

The boiling point and melting point of boron are much higher as compared to those of aluminum.

Boron frames just covalent compoundswhile aluminum shapes even some ionic compounds.

The oxides and hydroxides of boron are acidic in nature though those of aluminum are amphoteric.

The trihalides of boron (BX3) are monomers whereas, aluminum halides subsists as dimers (Al2X6).