Boron Group

• Boron

  • Decreases coefficient of expansion of glass
  • Use in vulcanizing rubber
• Toxicity of Boron 


  Boiled lobster appearance (boric acid poisoning)
• Identification Test of Boron

  Solutions of borates, acidulated with hydrochloric acid, turn turmeric paper brownish-red, the color changing to greenish-black by moistening with ammonia T.S.
• Boric Acid (H3BO3) - Sal sativum

  • No longer use in medicine because of its toxic nature.
  • Boiled lobster appearance
• Sodium Tetraborate (Na2B4O7 ∙ 10H2O) - Borax

  • Antiseptic
• Aluminum

  • Third most abundant element
  • Most abundant metal
• Pharmacologic Actions of Aluminum

  • Astringent
  • Antiseptic
  • Antiperspirant
  • Treatment for burns
• Toxicity of Aluminum

  Shaver’s Disease
• Antidote for Shaver's Disease

  BAL
• Aluminum is positive in Thenard’s Blue Test
• Aluminum chloride (AlCl3)

  • Astringent, Antiseptic, Deodorant
• Aluminum hydroxide (Al (OH)3) - Amphogel/Cremalin Gel

  • Antacid
  • ADR: Constipation, Phosphate deficiency
• Aluminum phosphate (AlPO4) - Phostagel

  • Antacid
  • Astringent
  • Demulcent
  • Do not interfere with phosphate absorption
• Aluminum carbonate (Al2(CO3)3)

  Treatment of phosphatic calculi
• Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) - Alumina

  • Treatment of silicosis
  • Silicosis - resembles TB in symptoms
• Aluminum silicates

  1. Kaolin (K-NHAS)
  2. Bentonite (B-NCHOS)
  3. Pumice
• Kaolin (K-NHAS)

  • Native Hydrated Aluminum Silicate
  • AKA: China Clay, White Bole
  • Use: Adsorbent in diarrhea
• Bentonite (B-NCHOS)

  • Native colloidal hydrated aluminum silicate
  • AKA: Soap clay, Mineral soap, whilnite
  • Use: Suspending agent
• Pumice

  • Substance of volcanic origin
  • Use: Dental abrasive
• Gallium

  • AKA: Eka-aluminum
  • Melts at 30.8⁰C
  • Has never been used in medicine
• Indium

  • Discovered by Reich and Richter through the use of spectroscope.
  • They named it Indium from two remarkably brilliant indigo-blue lines of its spectrum.
• Thallium

  • Greek word: Thallos
  • Meaning: Green twig
• Use of Thallium

  • Insecticide
  • Poison (Ant)
• Toxicity of Thallium

  Loss of Body Hair
• Antidote for Thallium Toxicity

  Prussian blue (Berlin Blue)