Question
Question: Dissolution of \(Xe{{F}_{6}}\) in anhydrous \(HF\) to give a good conducting solution which contains...
Dissolution of XeF6 in anhydrous HF to give a good conducting solution which contains:
A. H+ and XeF7− ions
B. HF2− and XeF5+ ions
C. HXeF6+ and F− ions
D. none of these
Solution
Hint XeF6 is a noble gas compound known by the name xenon hexafluoride. These compounds generally exist in three forms other than xenon hexafluoride it exists as XeF2and XeF4. It is very stable at normal room temperature.
Complete Step by step solution:
XeF6 is strongest fluorinating agent and exist as a colourless solid which readily sublimes into intense yellow vapours and according to VSEPR theory the structure of XeF6 is of octahedral geometry due to 6 chlorine atoms and one lone pair. This molecule is termed as fluxional molecule where the fluxional term refers for that molecule which undergoes dynamics where some atoms or all atoms interchange their symmetry equivalent positions.
HF is known by the name hydrofluoric acid which is generally a solution of hydrogen fluoride in water. It is colourless, acidic and highly corrosive in nature. When this acid comes in contact with the skin then it causes deep burns. This is basically used to organofluorine compounds.
XeF6 dissolves in anhydrous HFto give a good conducting solution which is generally yellow in colour and shows conductivity due to the formation of HF2− and XeF5+ ions. Conducting solution is that solution which allows the electricity to pass through it.
Hence we can conclude that option B is the correct answer.
Note: Xenon hexafluoride is prepared by heating XeF2 at 300∘C under 60-atmosphere pressure of fluorine with the help of catalyst while hydrogen fluoride also known as hydrofluoric acid is prepared by treatment of the mineral fluorite with concentrated sulfuric acid at 265∘C.