Xenon Trioxide
What is Xenon Trioxide?
Xenon trioxide (XeO₃) is a highly explosive, unstable noble gas oxide in which xenon has an oxidation state of +6, with a pyramidal molecular geometry due to a lone pair on xenon. It is formed by the hydrolysis of XeF₄ or XeF₆ with water and is one of the few oxides of noble gases known. XeO₃ is a powerful oxidizing agent and must be handled with extreme caution as it detonates violently upon contact with organic materials or on slight heating.
Key Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Xenon trioxide (XeO₃) is a highly explosive, unstable noble gas oxide in which xenon has an oxidation state of +6, with a pyramidal molecular geometry due to a lone pair on xenon. It is formed by the hydrolysis of XeF₄ or XeF₆ with water and is one of the few oxides of noble gases known. XeO₃ is a powerful oxidizing agent and must be handled with extreme caution as it detonates violently upon contact with organic materials or on slight heating.