diborane: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/TechnicalTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “diborane” mean?
A highly reactive, colorless, flammable gas with the chemical formula B₂H₆, composed of boron and hydrogen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly reactive, colorless, flammable gas with the chemical formula B₂H₆, composed of boron and hydrogen.
In chemistry, diborane is a classic example of electron-deficient bonding and a key starting reagent in organoboron chemistry, used historically in organic synthesis and as a rocket propellant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or spelling differences. Pronunciation may vary slightly in vowel quality and stress (see IPA).
Connotations
Neutral and purely technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language, but standard within the fields of inorganic and organometallic chemistry in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “diborane” in a Sentence
The researchers synthesized diborane.Diborane reacts violently with water.The structure of diborane was elucidated.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “diborane” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The diborane synthesis route
American English
- The diborane-mediated reaction
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in chemistry and chemical engineering research papers and textbooks.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Core term in inorganic and organometallic chemistry for synthesis and reactivity discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “diborane”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “diborane”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “diborane”
- Pronouncing it as 'di-bor-ann' (incorrect stress) or 'dib-oh-rane'. The stress is on the second syllable.
- Using it as a countable noun in plural form without context (e.g., 'three diboranes' is odd; 'three diborane molecules' is better).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, it was used in semiconductor manufacturing and as a rocket propellant, but its extreme toxicity and reactivity have limited modern large-scale industrial use.
It has a structure where two boron atoms are connected by two hydrogen atoms that form 'bridges' between them, a key feature of electron-deficient compounds.
No, it is pyrophoric (catches fire spontaneously in air) and reacts violently with water. It requires specialist handling, often diluted in an inert gas or stored as a complex.
Its correct structure, determined in the mid-20th century, was pivotal for developing modern theories of chemical bonding, specifically for molecules that do not follow the octet rule.
A highly reactive, colorless, flammable gas with the chemical formula B₂H₆, composed of boron and hydrogen.
Diborane is usually technical/scientific in register.
Diborane: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈbɔːreɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /daɪˈbɔːreɪn/ or /daɪˈbɒreɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DI' (two) 'BOR' (boron atoms) 'ANE' (like in methane, a hydrocarbon, but here it's a hydride of boron). So, a two-boron hydride.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often described as a 'bridge' in chemistry due to its unique B-H-B bridging hydrogen bonds.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary hazard associated with diborane?