Group 13 Elements: The Boron Family in Chemistry

by Yuvi K - December 16, 2023

The Boron Family: Group 13 Elements in Chemistry

Group 13 elements in Chemistry, or the Boron family, include an important group of elements that are essential to a number of industries, processes, and products. The Boron family features boron, aluminium, gallium, indium, and thallium. These elements are important components of everyday life, and their unique properties make them essential components of many industries.

Origins & Properties of the Group 13 Elements

Group 13 elements originate from the first row of the periodic table.
The fundamental physical and chemical properties of these elements depend on their number and type of outermost available electrons.
All these elements are soft, malleable, and ductile materials.
Most of them have an amphoteric nature and form covalent compounds by donating or accepting electrons.

Boron

Boron is a semimetal element with an atomic number of 5 and symbol B.
It is a light-colored solid and has fair electrical and thermal conductivity.
Boron has several oxidation states such as B2+, B3+, and B4+.
It readily reacts with many nonmetallic elements and several of its compounds are stable.
Boron compounds become oxidized to carbonates when heated in air.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a silvery-white metal and it is also known as Al.
Aluminum is the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust and it is resistant to corrosion.
Aluminum has a melting point of 660 degrees Celsius and a boiling point of 2460 degrees Celsius.
Aluminum reacts with acids, bases, and salts, forming a variety of compounds known as aluminates.
Aluminum has an electronic configuration of 2.8.3 and this gives it characteristics such as reflectivity and ductility.

Gallium

Gallium is a soft, silvery-white metal with an atomic number of 31 and symbol Ga.
Gallium is ductile and has a low melting point of 29.76 degrees Celsius.
Gallium has several oxidation states of III, I, and IV.

It is a good conductor of heat and electricity and it is also reactive with oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur.
Gallium forms a variety of compounds with other elements.

Indium

Indium is a soft, silvery-white metal that is not found as a free element.
It has an atomic number of 49 and symbol In.
Indium is ductile and it readily forms alloys with other metals.
Indium is highly reactive and it readily forms compounds with oxides, sulfur, and halogens.
Indium has an electron configuration of 4d10 5s2 5p1 and an electronegativity of 1.8.

Thallium

Thallium is a soft, malleable, silver-white metal with an atomic number of 81 and symbol Tl.
Thallium has several oxidation states such as I, II, and III.
Thallium has a high melting point of 1745 degrees Celsius, a boiling point of 1475 degrees Celsius, and an electronegativity of 1.67.
Thallium is found in a variety of minerals and it readily forms compounds with halogens, sulfur, and oxygen.
Thallium compounds are highly toxic and they are used in pesticides, rat poisons, and antifouling paints.

Uses of the Group 13 Elements

Group 13 elements are often used in both industrial and consumer contexts. Boron is used as an alloying element in steel and non-ferrous alloys and as a hardener in glass and ceramics. Boron compounds are also used in fertilizers and detergents.

Aluminum is used extensively in construction and transportation, as well as in electrical equipment, packaging, and consumer goods. Gallium is used in the production of semiconductors and other electronic components. Indium is a major component of thermoelectric materials and low-melting alloys.

Conclusion

Group 13 elements are an important and diverse group of elements in Chemistry, which have many useful properties and uses. Boron, aluminium, gallium, indium, and thallium make up the Boron family, which is used in a number of industries, products, and processes.

These elements are integral to everyday life and are essential components in many industries, from construction and transportation to electronics and consumer goods.