Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) is a chemical compound consisting of one xenon atom bonded to four fluorine atoms. It is an important compound in the study of the occurrence, preparation, and properties of the noble gases, particularly xenon.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Xenon tetrafluoride is the first binary chemical compound discovered to contain the noble gas xenon, which was previously thought to be completely inert.
The compound is prepared by the direct reaction of xenon gas with fluorine gas at high temperatures and pressures.
Xenon tetrafluoride is a colorless, crystalline solid that is a powerful oxidizing agent and can react violently with organic compounds.
The structure of xenon tetrafluoride is square planar, with the xenon atom at the center and the four fluorine atoms arranged around it.
Xenon tetrafluoride is used in the synthesis of other xenon compounds and as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry.
Review Questions
Describe the occurrence and preparation of xenon tetrafluoride.
Xenon tetrafluoride is the first binary chemical compound discovered to contain the noble gas xenon, which was previously thought to be completely inert. The compound is prepared by the direct reaction of xenon gas with fluorine gas at high temperatures and pressures. This reaction demonstrates the ability of xenon, a noble gas, to form stable chemical compounds under the right conditions.
Explain the structure and properties of xenon tetrafluoride.
Xenon tetrafluoride has a square planar structure, with the xenon atom at the center and the four fluorine atoms arranged around it. This structure is a result of the hybridization of the xenon atom's orbitals. Xenon tetrafluoride is a colorless, crystalline solid that is a powerful oxidizing agent, capable of reacting violently with organic compounds. These properties are a consequence of the highly electronegative nature of the fluorine atoms and the ability of xenon to form stable covalent bonds.
Discuss the significance of xenon tetrafluoride in the context of the properties and reactivity of the noble gases.
The discovery of xenon tetrafluoride was a significant milestone in the understanding of the properties and reactivity of the noble gases. Prior to this, the noble gases were believed to be completely inert and incapable of forming stable chemical compounds. The formation of xenon tetrafluoride demonstrated that under the right conditions, even the most unreactive noble gas, xenon, can form stable covalent bonds. This expanded the known chemistry of the noble gases and challenged the previous assumptions about their behavior, leading to a deeper understanding of the periodic table and the factors that govern chemical reactivity.
The group of six elements in the periodic table (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon) that are highly unreactive due to their stable electronic configurations.