Question
Question: Which of the following fluorides of xenon is impossible? (A) \(Xe{F_2}\) (B) \(Xe{F_3}\) (C) \...
Which of the following fluorides of xenon is impossible?
(A) XeF2
(B) XeF3
(C) XeF4
(D) XeF6
Solution
Xenon is a chemical element with atomic number 54. It can only combine with an even number of F atoms to form xenon fluorides and not with odd numbers of F atoms.
Complete step by step solution:
Xenon is an inert gas. Its electronic configuration is [Kr]4d105s25p6. All orbitals that are filled have paired electrons.
Xenon can combine with an even number of F atoms to form XeF2, XeF4 and XeF6.
This is because the promotion of 1, 2, or 3 electrons from the 5p filled orbitals to 5d vacant orbitals will give rise to 2,4,6 half-filled orbitals.
It cannot combine with an odd number of F –atoms.
Thus, the formation of XeF3 and XeF5 is not possible.
Hence, option B is correct.
Note: Xenon is obtained commercially as a by-product of the separation of air into oxygen and nitrogen. It is 4.5 times heavier than Earth’s atmosphere (which consists of a mixture of a number of gaseous elements and compounds). Its mass comes from its nucleus, which contains 54 protons and a varying (but similar) number of neutrons.