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Question

XeF6 cannot be handled in a glass vessel as it reacts with SiO2 and forms?


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Solution

XeF6:

  • XeF6 is Xenon hexafluoride.
  • It is a noble gas compound.

SiO2:

  • SiO2 is Silicon dioxide.
  • It is known as silica, an oxide of silicon

The reaction between XeF6 and SiO2:

  • Xenon hexafluoride reacts with silicon dioxide to form an explosive compound known as Xenon trioxide XeO3
  • XeO3 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 XeO3 from XeF6 and SiO2:

Step 1. Formation of XeOF4

2XeF6(aq)+2SiO2(aq)2XeOF4(aq)+SiF4(aq)

Step 2. Formation of XeO2F2

2XeOF4(aq)+SiO2(aq)2XeO2F2(aq)+SiF4(aq)

Step 3. Formation of XeO3

2XeO2F2(aq)+SiO2(aq)2XeO3(aq)+SiF4(aq)

  • Due to the above-mentioned reasons XeF6 is stored in nickel containers instead of silica or quartz vessels

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