ABSTRACT
This chapter briefly discusses the application, chemical properties and physical properties of diborane. It presents detailed information on the air analysis of diborane. Diborane is used as a rocket propellant, a polymerization catalyst, a reducing agent, and in the vulcanization of rubber. It is a colorless gas with a sweet, repulsive odor, soluble in CS2, and highly toxic and flammable. Diborane decomposes in water and ignites in moist air. During the air analysis of diborane, air is drawn through a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filter and then through a solid sorbent tube containing oxidizer-impregnated charcoal. PTFE filter is used to remove boron-containing particulates. The adsorbent after sampling is transferred into 10 mL 3" H2O2. Then, diborane is oxidized to boron. Boron may also be measured by inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometry.
