Chemical Properties
Crystals or powder. Soluble in water.
Uses
Intermediate for boron chemicals; as a powerlevel control in atomic submarines.
General Description
Odorless white solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble.
Reactivity Profile
Salts, basic, such as AMMONIUM PENTABORATE, are generally soluble in water. The resulting solutions contain moderate concentrations of hydroxide ions and have pH's greater than 7.0. They react as bases to neutralize acids. These neutralizations generate heat, but less or far less than is generated by neutralization of the bases in reactivity group 10 (Bases) and the neutralization of amines. They usually do not react as either oxidizing agents or reducing agents but such behavior is not impossible.
Health Hazard
Inhalation of dust may result in non-specific irritation of upper respiratory tract. Ingestion of large quantities may produce symptoms of non-specific irritation of the gastrointestinal tract, nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea. Contact with dust causes moderate eye irritation and minor skin irritation.
Fire Hazard
Special Hazards of Combustion Products: Toxic oxides of nitrogen may form in fire.
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Synthesis
A co-production method for ammonium tetraborate and pentaborate:
1. Purified boric acid is slowly added to concentrated ammonia at 352C to form an ammonium tetraborate solution.
2. Crystallization upon cooling yields solid ammonium tetraborate.
3. The mother liquors are combined, and more ammonia and boric acid are added under similar conditions.
4. Crystallization at a lower temperature (122C) gives a precipitate, which is dried to obtain ammonium pentaborate.
