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Chapter 20: Problem 13

What are boranes? Why were they once considered as potential fuels for rockets?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Boranes are a class of chemical compounds with a general formula of B_xH_y, consisting of boron and hydrogen atoms. Their structures can vary, adopting linear, trigonal, or polyhedral forms. They were once considered as potential rocket fuels due to their high heat of combustion, providing a high energy release and fuel efficiency. However, their chemical instability and toxicity concerns, including health risks for those handling them, prevented widespread adoption as rocket fuels.

Step by step solution

01

Definition and General Formula of Boranes

Boranes are a group of chemical compounds that consist of one or multiple boron atoms connected with hydrogen atoms. Their general formula is B_xH_y, where x and y refer to the number of boron and hydrogen atoms, respectively.
02

Structure of Boranes

The structure of boranes differs depending on the number of boron and hydrogen atoms. Some common boranes include diborane (B2H6), tetraborane (B4H10), and decaborane (B10H14). Boranes usually adopt different structures such as linear, trigonal, or polyhedral, which can lead to a variety of structural isomers.
03

High Heat of Combustion

One of the reasons boranes were considered as potential rocket fuels is their high heat of combustion. When boranes combust, they release a large amount of energy in the form of heat, making it an attractive option for rocket propulsion. This is because a high heat of combustion translates into a higher available energy per unit mass, making the fuel more efficient.
04

Chemical Stability and Toxicity Concerns

Despite their high heats of combustion, boranes were not widely adopted as rocket fuels due to concerns about their chemical stability and toxicity. Boranes are thermally and chemically reactive, which can lead to instability during storage and handling, making them a risky choice for a rocket fuel. Additionally, some boranes are highly toxic, posing a significant health risk to those working with them.
05

Conclusion

In summary, boranes are chemical compounds containing boron and hydrogen atoms with a general formula of B_xH_y. They were once considered as potential rocket fuels due to their high heat of combustion, which results in a high energy release upon combustion. However, their unstable nature and toxicity concerns prevented them from becoming a widely accepted fuel for rockets.

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