Xenon oxytetrafluoride (XeOF4) is prepared by partial hydrolysis of XeF6;
XeF6 + H2O —> XeOF4 + 2HF. It can also be prepared by the reaction of SiO2 with XeF6,
2XeF6 + SiO2 —> 2XeOF4 + SiF4.
Structure : XeOF4 has octahedral geometry due to sp3d2
-hybridization of Xe. One trans position is occupied by a lone pair giving pyramid shape to the molecule. There is one Xe–O double bond containing
pπ–dπ overlapping.
Properties : It is a colourless volatile liquid which melts at 227 K. It reacts with water to give XeO2F2 and XeO3,
XeOF4 + H2O —> XeO2 + 2HF,
XeO2F2 + H2O —> XeO3 + 2HF,
It is reduced by H2 to Xe,
XeOF4 + 3H2 —> Xe + H2O + 4HF
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