Raman scattering experiments on isotopically enriched hexagonal boron nitride have been performed under pressure up to 11 GPa at room temperature. The sublinear increase of the Raman-active E2g mode frequencies has been characterized. The pressure behavior has been analyzed by means of a bond-stiffness-bond-length scaling parameter γ which takes into consideration the vast differences in a- and c-axis compressibilities. The interlayer shear mode exhibits a γ parameter similar to that of graphite, and the mode frequency in isotopically pure samples separates faster at low pressures as a result of van der Waals interactions. Because of the extremely low a-axis compressibility, the intralayer mode exhibits a rather large scaling parameter. Within experimental uncertainties, no systematic departures related to isotopic mass have been observed..
