Discuss the formation of clathrates by noble gases.

Noble gases, which include elements such as helium, neon, argon, krypton, and xenon, are known for their lack of chemical reactivity. This characteristic is due to their full valence electron shells, which provide a stable electronic configuration. As such, these gases do not readily form chemical bonds with other elements.

Noble gases are perfectly suited to be 'guest' molecules in clathrate formations because their stability ensures they can be encased within 'host' structures without altering the chemical integrity of either the host or the guest. In the natural world, when conditions are right - particularly under low temperatures and high pressure - these gases can become trapped within clathrate structures, leading to the formation of noble gas clathrates. Examples include frozen structures beneath permafrost or within ocean sediments, which are significant because they can trap substantial quantities of noble gases.

Clathrates consist of 'cage-like' structures formed by a network of 'host' molecules that encompass 'guest' molecules within. These hosts are typically water molecules that, under certain conditions, bond to each other to form a polyhedral lattice.

Imagine the this cage as a spherical soccer ball, where the panels represent the host water molecules, and the inside of the ball is a space where a noble gas atom can reside. The cage-like structure is maintained not by strong covalent bonds, but by intermolecular forces, which are sufficient enough to stabilize the guest molecule within the host lattice. Such structures are significant in the natural storage and containment of gases and can be found in various environmental conditions, from the icy tundra to the depths of the sea.

Van der Waals forces play a pivotal role in the formation and stability of clathrate structures. These are the weak forces of attraction that exist between molecules or atoms, which include London dispersion forces, dipole-dipole interactions, and hydrogen bonds.

Although weaker than covalent or ionic bonds, Van der Waals forces are the glue that holds the clathrate's host and guest molecules together. Without these forces, the neatly organized cage structure would not be capable of trapping noble gases. In the case of noble gas clathrates, the lack of strong covalent bonds is actually an advantage as it allows for the encapsulation of the gases without the necessity of forming a new compound. These delicate yet essential forces are what enable the formation of clathrates under certain environmental pressures and temperatures, maintaining their integrity until those conditions change.