Xenon Hexafluoride, (XeF6)
Metals & Non-Metals > Noble Gases
It is a compound of xenon with fluorine. Xenon exhibits +6 oxidation state in this compound.
Preparation:
- XeF6 can be prepared by heating a mixture of xenon and fluorine in the ratio 1:20 in a nickel vessel at 600 K under 60–70 bar pressure.
- It can also be obtained by reacting XeF4 with O2F2 at −130°C.
- It is a strong fluorinating and oxidising agent.
- With HF, it gives an ionic compound [XeF5]+[HF2]−.
- On heating, it decomposes to give XeF2 and XeF4.
Structure of XeF6
Xe uses six of its valence electrons in forming six s–bonds with six F–atoms, while the remaining two electrons form a lone–pair. To accommodate, 7 electron–pairs, therefore, Xe should exhibit sp3d3 hybridization as shown below.
Structure of XeF6: Distorted octahedral
Chemical Properties:
- It is reduced by H2, HCl and NH3.
- The hydrolysis of XeF6 with water yields new compounds.
- XeF6 dissolves in HF according to the following reaction.
- XeF6 undergoes thermal decomposition.
- Like XeF2 and XeF4, XeF6 also acts as fluorinating agent.
XeF6 has strongest fluorinating tendency. XeF6 undergoes addition reactions with Lewis acids, e.g.,
- Hexafluoride undergoes hydrolysis in strongly alkaline medium.
