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Chapter 17: Problem 7

Describe the discovery of the first true noble-gas compound.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The first true noble-gas compound, xenon hexafluoroplatinate, was synthesized by British chemist Neil Bartlett in 1962. This discovery overturned the long-held belief that noble gases, due to their full valence electron shells, were inert and incapable of forming compounds.

Step by step solution

01

Background

Up until the mid 20th century, noble gases were considered inert and incapable of forming compounds due to their full valence electron shells. This belief was widely held in the field of chemistry.
02

Neil Bartlett's Discovery

In 1962, the British chemist Neil Bartlett discovered that the noble gas xenon can in fact form compounds. His work was motivated by the observation that platinum hexafluoride could oxidize molecular oxygen to \( O_2^{+} \), implying that the ionization energy of \( O_2 \) is lower or equal to that of platinum hexafluoride.
03

Forming Xenon Hexafluoroplatinate

Bartlett postulated that xenon should also react with platinum hexafluoride due its ionization energy being almost identical to that of \( O_2 \). True to his hypothesis, when he combined xenon and platinum hexafluoride, they reacted to form xenon hexafluoroplatinate, \( XePtF_6 \), marking the first successful formation of a true noble-gas compound.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Complete the following reactions: (a) \(\mathrm{XeF}_{4}+\mathrm{SF}_{4}\) (b) \(\mathrm{XeF}_{6}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) (c) \(\mathrm{XeF}_{6}+\mathrm{NaF}\) (d) \(\mathrm{KrF}_{2}+\mathrm{SbF}_{5}\) (e) \(\mathrm{HXeO}_{4}^{-}+\mathrm{OH}^{-}\)

Write complete balanced equation for the preparation of the following compounds: (a) \(\mathrm{XeO}_{3}\) (b) \(\mathrm{XeO}_{4}\) (c) \(\mathrm{XeOF}_{2}\)

Discuss the preparation and properties of xenates and perxenates.

Discuss the formation of clathrates by noble gases.

Give reasons for the following: (a) Noble gases have very high ionisation energies and almost zero electron affinities. (b) He does not form clathrates. (c) Noble gases are monoatomic. (d) Clathrates are not true chemical compounds.
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