Xenon Compounds

Name:
Xenon Compounds
Detailed information:
Xenon tetrafluoride, XeF₄, is easily prepared by mixing fluorine and xenon in gaseous form, heating in a nickel vessel to 400C, and cooling. The product forms large, colorless crystals. The difluoride and hexafluoride, XeF₂ and XeF₆, also colorless crystals, can be obtained somewhat similarly. The hexafluoride melts to a yellow liquid at 50C and boils at 75C. Many xenon fluorine complexes with other compounds are also known. Xenon oxytetrafluoride, XeOF₄, a volatile liquid at room temperature, is obtained from the reaction of xenon hexafluoride and silica. Gram amounts have been isolated and studied.All these fluorides must be protected from moisture to avoid formation of xenon trioxide, XeO₃, a colorless, nonvolatile solid that is dangerously explosive when dry. Its solution, the so-called xenic acid, is a stable weak acid but a strong oxidizing agent, which will even liberate chlorine from hydrochloric acid.Complex compounds containing nitrogen bonded to xenon have also been prepared.

M Formula:	Na4XeO6•8H2O
Hazard:
Toxic by inhalation; oxidizing agents, strong irritant.