COMPOUNDS

 

Xenon, while an extremely non-reactive element, has many known compounds.  Fluorine and Oxygen are the two most widely known elements that chemically react with xenon. They alone produce more than 80 xenon compounds.  Sodium perxenate, xenon deuterate, xenon hydrate are among some the recently discovered compounds of xenon.

Fluorine is a very reactive element. It has seven valence electrons; it will react readily with pretty much any of the elements. Oxygen is in the same situation; prevalent in both the atmosphere and body.

Fluorides:

Xenon fluoride (XeF2):

  • White “crystalline solid” with a boiling point of 114°C, and a melting point of 129°C.
  • It has a density of 4320 kg m-3 

 

Xenon Tetrafluoride (XeF4):

  • White solid with a boiling point of 116°C and a boiling point of 117°C
  • It has a density of 4040 kg m-3

 

 Crystal structure of xenon (IV) fluoride

Xenon Hexafuoride (XeF6):

  • Another white “crystalline” solid, however, its boiling and melting points are dramatically different from the compounds listed above. Its boiling point is 75.6°C, and its melting point is 49.5°C.
  • Its density is 3560 kg m-3

 

Oxides:

Crystal structure of xenon (VI) oxide

Xenon Trioxide (XeO3):

  • This reaction produces a white solid, with a melting point of 25°C.  Once it reaches its melting point it becomes unstable and explodes.
  • Its density is 4550 kg m-3

 

Xenon Tetrafluoride (XeO4):

  • This reaction produces a yellow solid, with a melting point of 35.9°C.  When heated, this compound explodes.