Boron

Boron is a non-metallic element with the symbol B and the atomic number 5. Boron is trivalent and occurs abundantly in borax and ulexite, a natural hydrated borate of sodium and calcium. Elemental boron is used as a dopant in the semiconductor industry, while boron compounds play important roles in light structural materials, nontoxic insecticides and preservatives, and reagents for chemical synthesis.