Question

Answer the following.

How are xenon fluorides XeF₂, XeF₄ and XeF₆ obtained? Give suitable reactions.

Answer 1

Xenon fluorides are generally prepared by direct reaction of xenon and fluorine in different ratios and conditions, such as temperature, electric discharge and photochemical reaction.

1) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Xenon}}{Xe} + \underset{\text{Fluorine}}{F2} ->[Sealed Ni tube][400 °C] \underset{\text{Xenon difluoride}}{XeF2}}\]

2) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Xenon}}{Xe} + \underset{\text{Fluorine}}{2F2} ->[Electric discharge][400 °C 5-6 atm] \underset{\text{Xenon tetrafluoride}}{XeF4}}\]
    (1:5)
3) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Xenon}}{Xe} + \underset{\text{Fluorine}}{2Fe2} ->[Electric discharge][- 80 °C] \underset{\text{Xenon tetrafluoride}}{XeF4}}\]

4) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Xenon}}{Xe} + \underset{\text{Fluorine}}{3F2} ->[Electric discharge][Low temp.] \underset{\text{Xenon hexafluoride}}{XeF6}}\]