Abstract
Using a combined approach based on the symbiosis of macromolecular and colloid chemistry of polymers with inorganic chemistry, data on the low- and high-molecular-weight anionic metal oxoborates in the crystalline, amorphous, and vitreous states, in solution, in the melt, and in the gas phase are surveyed. An attempt is made on this basis to present an adequately logical and well-founded picture of their structure, to indicate a new method of study, and to facilitate the prediction of the properties of technical materials and the improvement of the technology of their manufacture. The entire wide variety of borates and many of their properties can be accounted for by the variation of the configurations and conformations of the macroanions in response to changes in external influences as a result of the flexibility of the B–O–B bonds by virtue of the O atoms being in a state intermediate between sp2- and sp-hybridisation involving B atoms. The necessity to develop the polymer chemistry of compounds with the E–O–E linkages (E = B, Si, P, Al, etc.) is emphasised. It is noted that the chemistry of macroanions is in the forefront in this respect.
The bibliography includes 265 references.