Boron

Boron is produced by cosmic ray spallation, is a metalloid, and is essential to life.

When in a compound with halides, boron has the formal oxidation state +3. Trihalides adopt a planar trigonal structure and are Lewis acids.

Oxoanions that contain boron are called borates.

Boranes are chemical compounds of boron and hydrogen with general formula B_xH_y; many readily oxidize on contact with air.