Boron

Boron, anon-metallic element, first isolated by Gay-Lussac and Thenard in 1808. It does not occur free in nature, but combined with other elements is found as boracic acid (q.v.), borax (q.v.), boracite (q.v.), borocalcite, and other minerals. It is a greenish brown powder, which is only obtained by difficult chemical processes. It forms an oxide, which by union with water forms boric or boracic acids. It also forms a number of compounds with other elements, but none of any commercial or industrial importance.