Hexagonal boron nitride is an atomic compound, so are ordinary metals, and boron is a semiconductor element. Why does hexagonal boron nitride not conduct electricity? Simply put, there are no extra electrons to move freely, and there is no empty orbit to accommodate electrons.
Boron nitride is very similar to graphite. Both N and B are sp2 hybridized to form a large π bond, and the bond length of N-B bond becomes shorter. However, the electronegativity of n is much higher than that of b, so n is more attractive to π electrons, and π electron cloud shrinks to n, which is not easy to transfer along π bond.
crystalline form
Hexagonal boron nitride (similar to graphite, also called graphite boron nitride, white graphite). The relative density is 2.25. Mohs hardness is about 2. It is white powder and melts at about 3000℃ under high pressure. It has good electrical insulation, thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance and good lubricity. Good chemical stability, no reaction with water, acid and alkali at room temperature.
Boiled with water, slowly hydrolyzed to produce boric acid and ammonia. React with hot concentrated alkali or molten alkali and hot chlorine gas. Can withstand the high temperature of 2000℃. It has a strong electron absorption capacity. It can be prepared by heating borax and ammonium chloride in an ammonia stream.