Boron

A trivalent metalloid chemical element, boron occurs abundantly in the ore borax. Boron is never found free in nature.

Elemental boron is used as a dopant in the semiconductor industry, while boron compounds play important roles as light structural materals, nontoxic insecticides and preservatives, and reagents for chemical synthesis.

Boron is an essential carbon-based plant nutrient, and as an ultratrace mineral is necessary for the opimal health of many animals, though its physiological role in animals is poorly understood.