Development of a One-Pot Synthesis of Isotopically Enriched 10B Compounds
Faculty Mentor
Eric Abbey
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
May 2025
End Date
May 2025
Location
PUB NCR
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Abstract
NaBH4 and LiBH4 are widely used reducing agents in chemical synthesis and serve as starting materials for other synthetically useful boron containing compounds like BH3•THF as well as molecules of theoretical interest such as borazine, ammonia-borane, and polyhedral boron clusters. While these compounds are commercially available, they are not isotopically enriched. Naturally, the two Boron isotopes 10B/11B exist in a 1:4 ratio, respectively. Furthermore, syntheses of the borohydride reagents require a 3 or 4 step synthesis. Our goal is to develop a synthetic method to allow a one-pot synthesis of enriched boron compounds using isotopically enriched boric acid, 10B(OH)3, as the starting material. 10B enriched compounds can be used in neutron counters for neutron detection in nuclear reactors and radioactive waste storages. 10B enriched boron clusters can also be used in boron neutron capture therapy, a binary cancer treatment involving enriched boron containing compounds and a source of neutrons. Isotopically enriched compounds can be used by spectroscopists and other scientists for further fundamental studies of these compounds.
Recommended Citation
Fuentes, Eros and Slovarp, Ryan, "Development of a One-Pot Synthesis of Isotopically Enriched 10B Compounds" (2025). 2025 Symposium. 40.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2025/ps_2025/p2_2025/40
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Development of a One-Pot Synthesis of Isotopically Enriched 10B Compounds
PUB NCR
NaBH4 and LiBH4 are widely used reducing agents in chemical synthesis and serve as starting materials for other synthetically useful boron containing compounds like BH3•THF as well as molecules of theoretical interest such as borazine, ammonia-borane, and polyhedral boron clusters. While these compounds are commercially available, they are not isotopically enriched. Naturally, the two Boron isotopes 10B/11B exist in a 1:4 ratio, respectively. Furthermore, syntheses of the borohydride reagents require a 3 or 4 step synthesis. Our goal is to develop a synthetic method to allow a one-pot synthesis of enriched boron compounds using isotopically enriched boric acid, 10B(OH)3, as the starting material. 10B enriched compounds can be used in neutron counters for neutron detection in nuclear reactors and radioactive waste storages. 10B enriched boron clusters can also be used in boron neutron capture therapy, a binary cancer treatment involving enriched boron containing compounds and a source of neutrons. Isotopically enriched compounds can be used by spectroscopists and other scientists for further fundamental studies of these compounds.
