Borane is a chemical compound with the chemical formula BH3. It is a simple boron-hydrogen compound and is the simplest member of the boranes family. Boranes are compounds composed of boron and hydrogen atoms.

Key characteristics of borane (BH3) include:

1. Reactivity: Borane is a highly reactive and unstable compound. It readily reacts with various other compounds, particularly Lewis bases, due to its electron-deficient boron atom.
2. Lewis Acid: Borane behaves as a Lewis acid, meaning it can accept a pair of electrons during a chemical reaction.
3. Formation: Borane is typically not found in its pure form but exists as a complex with various Lewis bases due to its high reactivity.
4. Diborane: One of the most well-known boranes is diborane (B2H6), which consists of two boron atoms and six hydrogen atoms. Diborane is a volatile and flammable gas, and it is used in certain chemical processes.
5. Hydroboration: Borane is used in the hydroboration reaction, a useful chemical transformation in organic synthesis.
6. Stability: Due to its reactivity and instability, pure borane is rarely encountered in practice, and it is typically used in its complexes or as part of other boron-hydrogen compounds.
7. Toxicity: Borane is considered toxic and poses safety hazards, especially due to its flammable and reactive nature.

Borane is an essential reagent in certain chemical reactions and synthetic processes, but its use requires careful handling and appropriate safety precautions. Its reactivity and tendency to form complexes make it valuable in various applications, but researchers and chemists must be cautious when working with borane and its derivatives.