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Question: The reaction of \( Xe{F_6} \) with silica \( \left( {Si{O_2}} \right) \) gives: \( (i){\text{ Xe}...

The reaction of XeF6Xe{F_6} with silica (SiO2)\left( {Si{O_2}} \right) gives:
(i) XeO3 and SiF6(i){\text{ Xe}}{{\text{O}}_3}{\text{ and Si}}{{\text{F}}_6}
(ii) XeF4 and SiF4(ii){\text{ Xe}}{{\text{F}}_4}{\text{ and Si}}{{\text{F}}_4}
(iii) XeOF2 and SiF4(iii){\text{ XeO}}{{\text{F}}_2}{\text{ and Si}}{{\text{F}}_4}
(iv) XeOF4 and SiF4(iv){\text{ XeO}}{{\text{F}}_4}{\text{ and Si}}{{\text{F}}_4}

Explanation

Solution

The reaction of Xenon is quite unpredictable in nature. Xenon is a noble gas therefore it is expected that it does not form any bond with other atoms. But compounds of xenon like xenon hexafluoride react with certain compounds like silica under high pressure and high temperature to give different products. Also the compounds of xenon also react with water molecules.

Complete answer:
Xenon is an element of the noble gas group of the periodic table. Therefore it is always predicted that it does not react with other atoms as its valence shell is completely filled. Also it has inert configuration. But under extreme pressure and temperature, it is made to react with the fluorine and hence the xenon fluorides are formed. With the ratio of fluorine used , various xenon compounds are formed. One of them is Xenon hexafluoride. Xenon Hexafluoride is highly reactive in nature. We cannot store it in a glass or a quartz as when it comes in contact with quartz it reacts with it and a large amount of heat is produced. This can be shown as:
2XeF6 + SiO2→ 2XeOF4 + SiF4 2Xe{F_6}{\text{ + Si}}{{\text{O}}_2} \to {\text{ }}2XeO{F_4}{\text{ + Si}}{{\text{F}}_4}{\text{ }} 2XeF6 + SiO2→ 2XeOF4 + SiF4 2Xe{F_6}{\text{ + Si}}{{\text{O}}_2} \to {\text{ }}2XeO{F_4}{\text{ + Si}}{{\text{F}}_4}{\text{ }}
Further when XeOF4XeO{F_4} reacts with the quartz it gives a final product which is XeO3Xe{O_3} which is highly explosive in nature. Therefore the reaction of compounds of xenon is observed under precautions.
Therefore the correct option is (iv) XeOF4 and SiF4(iv){\text{ XeO}}{{\text{F}}_4}{\text{ and Si}}{{\text{F}}_4} .

Note:
Xenon is inert in the atmosphere but when we apply much pressure and temperature then it forms compounds with fluorine and oxygen. Also the hydrolysis of xenon compounds can be done. But all these reactions of xenon are highly exothermic in nature. Hence it can be used as explosive material.