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boron trichloride
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boron trichloride

chemical compound
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Boron trichloride (BCl₃) is a chemical compound formed from boron and chlorine. Boron is a semimetal found in Group 13 of the periodic table, essential for plant growth and used industrially. Pure boron is a black, lustrous semiconductor that is hard but brittle.1

Boron trichloride is one of the boron halides, which are highly reactive compounds. These halides readily form complexes with other substances. Boron trichloride can be prepared by reducing boron oxide with potassium or by reducing its bromide or chloride with hydrogen. Boron trichloride is used in the preparation of pure crystalline boron.1

Boron trifluoride (BF₃) is another boron halide, a colorless, pungent gas used as an acidic catalyst in organic reactions like alkylations and polymerizations.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. boron
  2. boron trifluoride

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