Boron nitride
Some ionic bond strength component in contrast to carbon structures. Very strong (comparably to covalent) dative bonding.
h-BN
Isostructural to graphite.
Most common in literature as of 2025.
In stark contrast to graphite a very good insulator.
c-BN cubic boron nitride (quingsongite)
Isostructural to diamond and zincblende structure.
Less common in literature as of 2025.
Interesting in seamless crystal structure transitions to and from diamond.
- Either for structural mechanical reasons (intentional bending by slight size differences).
- Or for electronic property reasons.
One period up analogous compound would be aluminum phosphide. Highly toxic.
The two mixed period variants:
- Aluminum nitride (attacked by water if not sealed, hexagonal wurzite structure lower engery)
- Boron phosphate (very stable and hard)
sp3-h-BN
Isostructural to lonsdaleite and wurzite structure.
Exotic in literature as of 2025.