Boron esters and oxygen removal

[woodyanderson]

I would like to remove oxygen from boron powers by milling in milling the starting powders in an alcohol, specifically, methanol. I've been told B2O3 reacts with the methanol to produce boron esters which volatilise during evaporation of the milling solvent under a reduced pressure. Is this true?
How can this be done

 

[Cesium]

Take a look at this thread: https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=93439

Although in your case your dealing with boron oxide, I do not think that the mechanism would be much different. You should not get much ester formation without an acid catalyst like sulfuric acid. The primary ester in question is trimethyl borate which boils at 69C at atmospheric pressure.