Q.How are XeF2 and XeF4 prepared ? Give their structure.
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Both XeF2 and XeF4 are made by direct reaction of xenon with fluorine under controlled conditions, and their VSEPR-predicted shapes (linear and square planar respectively) come from their hybridisation and lone-pair count.
Preparation:
XeF₂: Prepared by heating a mixture of xenon and fluorine gas in a 1:2 molar ratio at 673 K (400°C) in a sealed nickel container/vessel:
It can also be prepared by exposing a mixture of Xe and F₂ (in sunlight/UV light).
XeF₄: Prepared by heating a mixture of xenon and fluorine gas in a 1:5 molar ratio at 673 K (400°C) and 6-7 bar pressure in a sealed nickel vessel:
Structures:
XeF₂: The central Xe atom has 2 bond pairs (to the 2 F atoms) and 3 lone pairs, giving 5 electron domains around Xe → sp³d hybridisation, with a trigonal bipyramidal electron-pair arrangement. The 3 lone pairs occupy the equatorial positions (to minimise lone pair-lone pair repulsion) and the 2 F atoms occupy the axial positions, giving XeF₂ a linear molecular shape (F–Xe–F bond angle = 180°).
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