Question

Xenon Fluorides are best stored in quartz containers – True or False?

• A. True
• B. False

Answer 1

The correct option is B False

Xenon Fluorides are stored in Nickel or Monel containers. They cannot be stored in glass containers or quartz containers as they react with $Si{O}_2$ as:
$2Xe{F}_6\left(s\right)+Si{O}_2\left(s\right)\to Si{F}_4\left(s\right)+2XeO{F}_4\left(s\right)$
$2XeO{F}_4\left(s\right)+Si{O}_2\left(s\right)\to Si{F}_4\left(s\right)+2Xe{O}_2{F}_2\left(s\right)$
$2Xe{O}_2{F}_2\left(s\right)+Si{O}_2\left(s\right)\to Si{F}_4\left(s\right)+2Xe{O}_3\left(s\right)$
Also, the first two reactions may be used to prepare Xenon oxyfluorides. Further, Xenon oxyfluorides can also be prepared by the controlled, partial hydrolysis of Xenon fluorides.
Hydrolysis of $Xe{F}_6$ is a multi-step process. Initially Xenon oxide tetrafluoride – $XeO{F}_4$ is formed.
$Xe{F}_6\left(s\right)+H_{2}O\left(l\right)\to XeO{F}_4\left(l\right)+2HF\left(l\right)$
Followed by
$XeO{F}_4\left(l\right)+2H_{2}O\left(l\right)\to Xe{O}_3\left(s\right)+4HF\left(l\right)$