Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Many covalent molecules have central atoms that do not have eight electrons in their Lewis structures. These molecules fall into three categories:

Atomic Mass

Atomic Mass

Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which are...

Noble Gases

Noble Gases

The elements in group 18 are noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon). They earned the name “noble” because they were assumed to be nonreactive since they have filled valence shells. In 1962, Dr. Neil Bartlett at the University of British Columbia proved this assumption to be false.

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...

Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

In addition to the oxymercuration–demercuration method, which converts the alkenes to alcohols with Markovnikov orientation, a complementary hydroboration-oxidation method yields the anti-Markovnikov product. The hydroboration reaction, discovered in 1959 by H.C. Brown, involves the addition of a B–H bond of borane to an alkene giving an organoborane intermediate. The oxidation of this intermediate with basic hydrogen peroxide forms an alcohol.

Lewis Acids and Bases

Lewis Acids and Bases

This lesson delves into Lewis acids and bases in the context of the octet rule for electron-deficient compounds. Here, the concept is discussed, emphasizing the group 13 elements like boron or aluminium. Since group 13 elements possess three valence electrons, they form trivalent compounds with a sextet of electrons and a vacant orbital for the central atom. Consequently, these electron-deficient compounds accept electrons from other species to complete their octet in a chemical reaction. They...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

CRISPR screen identifies autophagy inhibition (GNS561) as a PARP inhibitor (AZD5305) combination strategy in small cell lung cancer.

Cancer & metabolism·2026

Same author

Surprises from a boron-rich semiconductor under pressure.

National science review·2026

Same author

Decomposition of Molecular Charge and Spin Transfer Global Indexes into Atomic Group Contributions.

Journal of chemical theory and computation·2026

Same author

Simple electronegativity-based model for predicting formation of stable compounds across the periodic table.

Nature communications·2025

Same author

Invisible water in subducted crust: Lawsonite velocity anomalies under mantle conditions.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2025

Same author

Experimental Exchange Interaction Dataset for Magnetic Materials: Spin Waves to MC Simulations.

Scientific data·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Published on: May 15, 2015

Ionic high-pressure form of elemental boron.

Artem R Oganov¹, Jiuhua Chen, Carlo Gatti

¹Laboratory of Crystallography, Department of Materials, ETH Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 10, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland. artem.oganov@sunysb.edu

|February 3, 2009

Summary

High-pressure experiments reveal a novel, partially ionic boron phase stable up to 89 GPa. This complex boron structure, quenchable to ambient conditions, has unique electronic and optical properties.

More Related Videos

Negative Additive Manufacturing of Complex Shaped Boron Carbides

Negative Additive Manufacturing of Complex Shaped Boron Carbides

Published on: September 18, 2018

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

Published on: January 6, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Supercritical Nitrogen Processing for the Purification of Reactive Porous Materials

Published on: May 15, 2015

Negative Additive Manufacturing of Complex Shaped Boron Carbides

Negative Additive Manufacturing of Complex Shaped Boron Carbides

Published on: September 18, 2018

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

Assessment of Boron Doped Diamond Electrode Quality and Application to In Situ Modification of Local pH by Water Electrolysis

Published on: January 6, 2016

Area of Science:

Condensed Matter Physics
Materials Science
Solid-State Chemistry

Background:

Boron exhibits complex chemical behavior due to its position between metals and insulators.
Its structural stability, even at ambient conditions, remains incompletely understood.
Previous research identified numerous boron polymorphs but lacked clarity on the stable phase.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the structural stability of boron under high pressure.
To explore the existence and properties of novel boron phases.
To characterize the electronic and structural features of high-pressure boron.

Main Methods:

High-pressure experimental techniques.
Ab initio evolutionary crystal structure prediction algorithms.
Analysis of electronic band structure, infrared absorption, and dielectric constants.

Main Results:

Discovery of a partially ionic high-pressure boron phase.
This phase is stable between 19 and 89 GPa and can be quenched to ambient conditions.
The new structure (space group Pnnm) features icosahedral B(12) clusters and B(2) pairs in a NaCl-type arrangement.

Conclusions:

The identified high-pressure boron phase exhibits unique ionicity, affecting its electronic and optical properties.
This ionicity arises from charge transfer between B(12) clusters and B(2) pairs.
The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of boron's complex phase diagram and properties.