Boron Nitrogen Compounds

Three important compounds:
 
 
 
 
B=N isoelectronic with C=C => borazine is like benzene (aromatic).
 
planar B3N3 ring, all B-N bonds same lengths.
 
 Due to polarity, much more reactive than benzene.
 
 Borazine  Boron nitride (BN)x
 
hexagonal  like graphite structure (layered)
 
cubic  like diamond (hard)
 
 
 Hexagonal (BN)x versus Graphite
 
 Graphite: carbon in one layer on top of a ring.
 (staggered or out of registery)
 
Hexagonal (BN)x: B above N interlayer interaction.
 (eclipsed or in registery)
 
weak B-N interlayer interaction.
 
(BN)x less easy to cleave.
 
polar B-N bond means that electrons are localised, and so
(BN)x is an electrical insulator.