Question

${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ cannot be handled in a glass vessel as it reacts with ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ and forms?

Answer 1

${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$:

• ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ is Xenon hexafluoride.
• It is a noble gas compound.

${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$:

• ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$ is Silicon dioxide.
• It is known as silica, an oxide of silicon

The reaction between ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ and ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$:

• Xenon hexafluoride reacts with silicon dioxide to form an explosive compound known as Xenon trioxide ${\mathrm{XeO}}_3$
• ${\mathrm{XeO}}_3$ is an unstable compound that is a strong oxidizing agent and dangerously explosive with organic compounds.
• As a result, it cannot be stored in quartz or silica vessel

Formation of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_3$ from ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ and ${\mathrm{SiO}}_2$:

Step 1. Formation of ${\mathrm{XeOF}}_4$

$2{\mathrm{XeF}}_6\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+2{\mathrm{SiO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{XeOF}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SiF}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Step 2. Formation of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2$

$2{\mathrm{XeOF}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SiO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SiF}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Step 3. Formation of ${\mathrm{XeO}}_3$

$2{\mathrm{XeO}}_2{\mathrm{F}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SiO}}_2\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to 2{\mathrm{XeO}}_3\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{SiF}}_4\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

• Due to the above-mentioned reasons ${\mathrm{XeF}}_6$ is stored in nickel containers instead of silica or quartz vessels