Xenon Tetrafluoride
What is Xenon Tetrafluoride?
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF₄) is a noble gas compound formed by heating a 1:5 mixture of xenon and fluorine at 400°C under pressure, representing one of the first noble gas compounds synthesized (Claassen et al., 1962). It is a colorless crystalline solid with a square planar molecular geometry (six electron pairs, two lone pairs in axial positions), consistent with VSEPR theory. XeF₄ is a strong fluorinating and oxidizing agent that reacts vigorously with water, producing a mixture of xenon, XeO₃, HF, and O₂.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF₄) is a noble gas compound formed by heating a 1:5 mixture of xenon and fluorine at 400°C under pressure, representing one of the first noble gas compounds synthesized (Claassen et al., 1962). It is a colorless crystalline solid with a square planar molecular geometry (six electron pairs, two lone pairs in axial positions), consistent with VSEPR theory. XeF₄ is a strong fluorinating and oxidizing agent that reacts vigorously with water, producing a mixture of xenon, XeO₃, HF, and O₂.