Friday, September 19, 2014

What is the chemical reaction for the ethyl borate test of calcium borate?

Ethyl borate is a chemical compound that when burned with a flame imparts a highly visible green color.  That makes the ethyl borate test a qualitative chemical test for the presence of borate anions.  Calcium borate (Ca3(BO3)2) can react with ethanol (EtOH) to produce ethyl borate ((EtO)3B) via the equation below:


Ca3(BO3)2 + 3 EtOH -->  (EtO)3B + B(OH)3 + 3CaO


The calcium borate will react with ethanol to make ethyl borate.  The ethyl borate when exposed to a flame will produce the distinct green color.  The green colored burning makes ethyl borate useful for pyrotechnic displays including fireworks.  Ethyl borate also has other uses including the manufacturing of certain types of glass, finishes like waxes and varnishes, and it also has some flame retardant uses as well.

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