Boronic safety considerations

Safety considerations are paramount in any boron hydride synthesis. The energy yield from the oxidations of boron hydrides is too high for any cavalier treatment of boron hydrides. Exclusion of air is the critical consideration in diborane reactions. Decaborane(14) is less reactive, generally, in a kinetic sense, but the thermodynamic potential is comparable. In addition, all volatile boron hydrides are toxic. The procedures described in the latter two preparations are within our experience non-hazardous. These procedures should be followed in every detail improvisation is not recommended. 

VSR - Vertical Safety Rod - Boron-containing rods suspended over open channels in the pile during operation, so arranged that when the safety circuit is tripped the rods will fall into the pile by gravity. The structure and number of rods varies considerably from pile to pile. The VSR system is the fastest reactivity control system and absorbs almost as much reactivity as the Ball 3X system. 

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