See what you will probably never see in reality, thanks to the PCOD

Zero-dimensional B₂O₃ models (not DFT-optimized) as predicted by GRINSP

Construction of these B₂O₃ models (3D, 2D, 1D and 0D) described in 2005 and 2010 in refs. [1 and 8] - BO₃ triangles interconnected exclusively by corner-sharing. See other works about a few predicted polymorphs in a 2012 paper and in a 2016 thesis. Data from the 2009 (766 models) and 2010 (5118 models) PCOD updates, and more in 2018 to come.

Not exhaustive list (more will be added during the next weeks, maybe)...

CS = Coordination Sequence - same definition as for zeolites

References for these GRINSP predictions :

1- Inorganic structure prediction with GRINSP. A. Le Bail, J. Appl. Cryst. 38 (2005) 389-395. http://journals.iucr.org/j/issues/2005/02/00/cg5019/
2- Predicted corner-sharing titanium silicates. A. Le Bail, Z. Kristallogr., Suppl. 26 (2007) 203-208. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228093494_Predicted_corner-sharing_titanium_silicates
3- Powerpoint file : Contribution to the "Gordon Conference Style" Workshop : Global Optimisation Techniques Applied to the Prediction of Structures, 5-7 July 2006, University College London (.ppt or zipped)
4- Advances in structure prediction of inorganic compounds. A. Le Bail, Report of 2nd Algerian Crystallography Congress, Algérie (2005). http://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0606025
5- Hypothetical AlF₃ crystal structures, A. Le Bail, F. Calvayrac, J. Solid State Chem., 179 (2006) 3159-3166.
6- Inorganic structure prediction: too much and not enough, A. Le Bail, Solid State Phenomena 130 (2007) 1-6.
7- Frontiers between crystal structure prediction and determination by powder diffractometry, A. Le Bail, Powder Diffraction, S23 (2008) S5-S12.
8- Databases of virtual inorganic crystal structures and their applications, A. Le Bail, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 12 (2010) 8521-8530. DOI: 10.1039/c003907c
Etc - search by yourself after all...

Spheres or ellipsoids or sometimes shapes closer to rings, donuts, simili-cubes or undefined with different dimensions but always formulation B_2nO_3n

Predicted (not exhaustive list, run again GRINSP for more) B_2nO_3n with n = 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16, 18, 22, 24, 28, 30, 34, 36, 40 and sometimes several models for one n value

A world (virtual up to now) parallel to the fullerene one (see tubes and other shapes at the 1D page)

So, one would like to know what happens if some glassy or crystalline B₂O₃ was vaporized ?
And if really some of these hypothetical 0D following models can exist, would they have some interesting properties ?
So, given that some Nobel prize was attributed for the discovery and characterization of fullerenes, do not hesitate if you want to try to realize the same in that B₂O₃ case...

Geometrically, building a 0D or 1D B₂O₃ model starting from a 0D or 1D fullerene may seem straithforward : replace C by B, place O atoms at the middle of all C-C bonds, adjust the model size so as to obtain correct B-O and O-O distances. This means that the equivalent of C₆₀ or C₈₀ in the following list could be seen for n = 30 and n = 40. In fact, there is the problem of the O-B-O angle in the BO₃ triangle which should be close to 120°... So the soccer ball for n = 30 below appears distorted but is really there.

PCOD1501827 n = 4 CIF

PCOD1501876 n = 5 CIF

PCOD1501546 n = 6 CIF

PCOD1501261 n = 6 CIF

PCOD1501543 n = 7 CIF

PCOD1501724 n = 7 CIF

PCOD1501179 n = 8 CIF

PCOD1501458 n = 8 CIF

PCOD1501814 n = 8 CIF

PCOD1502282 n = 8 CIF

PCOD1501417 n = 9 CIF

PCOD1501654 n = 9 CIF

PCOD1501156 n = 10 CIF

PCOD1501350 n = 10 CIF

PCOD1501833 n = 10 CIF

PCOD1501197 n = 11 CIF

PCOD1501840 n = 12 CIF

PCOD1501687 n = 12 CIF

Use a CIF to VRML software on that 0D B₂O₃ model and then a 3D printer and you will obtain this yellow and pink gold bracelet, style tank years 1930-50 ;-)
Load the corresponding VRML file for printing.