Xenon trioxide (XeO3) is prepared by complete hydrolysis of XeF4 and XeF6
6XeF4 + 12H2 —> 2XeO3 + 4Xe + 3O2 + 24 HF
XeF6 + 3H2O —> XeO3 + 6 HF
Structure :XeO3 has tetrahedral geometry due to
sp3 hybridization of Xe. One of the hybrid orbitals contains a lone pair of electrons giving a trigonal pyramidal shape. The molecule has three Xe = O double bonds containing
pπ – dπ overlapping.
Properties : It is a colorless solid, highly explosive and powerful oxidizing agent. |