Question

How are $Xe{F}_2$ and $Xe{F}_4$ prepared? Give their structures.

Answer 1

A mixture of xenon and fluorine (2:1) is passed through nickel tube at 400 deg C.
$Xe+F_2\underset{Ni}{\overset{{400}^{o}C}{\to }}Xe{F}_2$
$Xe{F}_2$ has linear structure with $Xe{F}_2$ bond angle of ${180}^0$. Xe atom has 2 bond pairs and 3 lone pairs of electrons. Xe atom is $s{p}^{3}d$ hybridized.
A mixture of xenon and fluorine ( 1:5) is passed at 400 deg C and 5-6 atm.
$Xe+2F_2\underset{\text{5-6 atm}}{\overset{{400}^{o}C}{\to }}Xe{F}_4$
$Xe{F}_4$ has square structure with $Xe{F}_4$ bond angle of ${90}^0$. Xe atom has 4 bond pairs and 2 lone pairs of electrons. Xe atom is $s{p}^3{d}^2$ hybridized.