A theoretical calculation of the superconducting transition temperature is reported. The parameters that are necessary to calculate Tc are taken from the self-consistent band structure obtained by means of the TB-LMTO method. The calculated value of Tc is in good agreement with the experimental value. From the present calculation, we observe that the high Tc may be due to the metallic nature of boron sheets and the phonon mediated mechanism can be employed to explain Tc in these compounds. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.