Other compounds

Boron forms several compounds with nitrogen. A number of these are structurally similar to carbon compounds, the atoms' pair BN being isoelectronic with CC. (For instance, the ion [NH₃BH₂NH₃]⁺ is similar to propane, CH₃CH₂CH₃.) Boron nitride BN can create two solid structures, one consisting of hexagonal BN layers identical to graphite and the another with tetrahedral sp³ bonding such as diamond. Borazine B₃N₃H₆ has a 6-π-electron ring such as benzene (5 depicts one resonance form;). Even though BN is extremely hard and resistant to chemical attack, borazine is very much reactive than benzene and does not go through comparable electrophilic substitution reactions. The variation is a result of the polar B-N bond, and the very reactive B-H bonds.

Boron creates a binary carbide, frequently written B₄C but in fact nonstoichiometric, and compounds with most metals. The structures and stoichiometries of these solids mainly defy simple interpretation. Several types of chains, layers and polyhedra of boron atoms are found. Simple instances are CaB₆ and UB₁₂, containing linked icosahedra and octahedra, correspondingly.