Aluminium dodecaboride

Aluminium dodecaboride

Names
IUPAC name Aluminium dodecaboride
Other names Aluminium boride
Identifiers
CAS Number	12041-54-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ECHA InfoCard	100.031.737
EC Number	234-924-2
PubChem CID	6336895
InChI InChI=1S/Al.12B Key: JXOOCQBAIRXOGG-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES [B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[B].[Al]
Properties
Chemical formula	AlB12
Molar mass	156.714 g/mol
Appearance	Yellow to black solid
Density	2.56 g/cm3
Melting point	2,200 °C (3,990 °F; 2,470 K)
Solubility in water	insoluble
Solubility	soluble in hot nitric acid(decomposes), soluble in nitric acid(decomposes), soluble in sulfuric acid(decomposes)
Structure
Crystal structure	Tetragonal (α-form) Orthorhombic (β-form)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Aluminium dodecaboride (AlB₁₂) is a chemical compound made from the metal aluminium and the non-metal boron. It is one of two chemical compounds that are commonly called aluminium boride; the other is aluminium diboride, AlB₂.

There are two crystalline forms, α-AlB₁₂, and γ-AlB₁₂. Both forms are very similar and consist of a framework with three-dimensional networks of B₁₂ and B₂₀ units. The phase β-AlB₁₂ is now believed to be the ternary boride C₂Al₃B₄₈.

The β-form can be prepared by the reaction of boron(III) oxide with sulfur and aluminum, then adding carbon to the mixture.

AlB₁₂ is used as a grinding compound to replace diamond or corundum.