Why is Boron so boring?
Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2017 5:50 am
It occurred to me that Boron, next to Carbon in the Periodic Table, should have the valence attributes to form all the building blocks of complex compounds, namely positive radicals, negative radicals and magnetic neutral groups. Yet it is not nearly as prolific as carbon in forming chains and rings. This puzzle lead me to reread the last four chapters of NBM where Larson defines his "molecular orientation effect" by which he accounts for these structures. Larson cannot quantify this effect and admits on page 277 that this "introduces an element of awkwardness into the presentation", an incredible statement from such a genius.
I am going to venture an explanation of the "molecular orientation effect". First, it arises from one dimensional motion, the free positive electric displacement that is present in any magnetic valance. Therefore, I conclude that it is a linear force of attraction between atoms that modifies the inter-atomic force of cohesion. It is equal to the dot product of the free positive electric displacements of the atoms involved, in the case of carbon, the CH neutral group and the adjoining hydrogen atom . It is therefore at a maximum when these atoms are collinear, which, at equilibrium, would tend to form triangles, thereby giving the molecule an overall ring structure. The chain structure, on the other hand, requires positive and negative end radicals. I propose that these end radicals repel each other and their effect is to stretch the ring out into a linear structure forming a chain.
The reason Boron is boring is two fold. First, its positive electric displacement, the ring forming power, is 3. 75% less than carbon. Second, the repulsive force of its end radicals is higher due to its lower atomic number. It therefore pulls apart the rings, and doesn't allow chains to form either.
I am going to venture an explanation of the "molecular orientation effect". First, it arises from one dimensional motion, the free positive electric displacement that is present in any magnetic valance. Therefore, I conclude that it is a linear force of attraction between atoms that modifies the inter-atomic force of cohesion. It is equal to the dot product of the free positive electric displacements of the atoms involved, in the case of carbon, the CH neutral group and the adjoining hydrogen atom . It is therefore at a maximum when these atoms are collinear, which, at equilibrium, would tend to form triangles, thereby giving the molecule an overall ring structure. The chain structure, on the other hand, requires positive and negative end radicals. I propose that these end radicals repel each other and their effect is to stretch the ring out into a linear structure forming a chain.
The reason Boron is boring is two fold. First, its positive electric displacement, the ring forming power, is 3. 75% less than carbon. Second, the repulsive force of its end radicals is higher due to its lower atomic number. It therefore pulls apart the rings, and doesn't allow chains to form either.