In: Chemistry
Which of the following does not exist?
(A) XeOF4.
(B) NeF2.
(C) XeF2.
(D) XeF6.
Xenon forms various compounds with fluorine and oxygen in nature. Some of them can be stated with the reactions are:
Xe(g) + F2(g)− → XeF2(s) ; here Xe is in excess. (673K and 1bar)
Xe(g) + 3F2(g)− → XeF6(s) ; here Xe and fluorine is in the ratio as 1 : 20. (573K and 60-70 bar)
XeF6 + H2O → XeOF4 + 2HF ; the above-mentioned compound reacts with water to give this reaction.
– We may conclude that the molecules XeOF4, XeF2, and XeF6 exist in nature based on the foregoing reactions. NeF2, on the other hand, does not because it requires the d orbital for bonding, which Ne does not have because it belongs to the second period. It also cannot use as much energy to excite electrons for the production of compounds since it would be unstable and, even if generated accidentally, would revert to the stable forms.
NeF2 do not exist.