Borate complexes hydrated compounds

Borate salts or complexes of virtually every metal have been prepared. For most metals, a series of hydrated and anhydrous compounds maybe obtained by varying the starting materials and/or reaction conditions. Some have achieved commercial importance. 

The effect of polyhydroxy compounds has been explained on the basis of the formation of 1 1 and 1 2-mole ratio complexes between the hydrated borate ion and 1,2- or 1,3-diols ... 

The principal source of compounds of boron is the complex borate minerals, including borax, sodium tetraborate decahydrate, Na2B4O7T0H2O kernite, sodium tetraborate tetrahydrale, Na2B407-4H20 (which gives borax when water is added) and colemanite, calcium hexaborate penta-hydrate, Ca2B60n 5H20. The main deposits of these minerals are in California. 

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