Question

What are the basic units of layer structure of orthoboric acid? How are they bonded to one another?

Answer 1

Boric acid has a layer structure as follows:

i) The basic unit of ${ H }_{ 3 }{ BO }_{ 3 }\quad is\quad { BO }_{ 3 }^{ -3 }$ which is linked through hydrogen bonds.

ii) ${ H }_{ 3 }{ BO }_{ 3 }$ has layer structure with planar trigonal hydrogen atoms to form a covalent bond with one ${ BO }_{ 3 }$ unit and hydrogen bond with another ${ BO }_{ 3 }$ unit.