Question

xenon does not form flourides such as XeF3 , XeF5 why ?

Answer 1

Xenon has stable noble gas electronic configuration as,

Xe : [Kr] 4d105s25p6.

All the filled orbitals of Xe have paired electrons. The promotion of one, two or three electrons from the 5p-filled orbitals to the 5d-vacant orbitals will give rise to two, four and six half filled orbitals. Therefore xenon can combine with even number of fluorine atoms, not odd. Thus, it can not form XeF3 and XeF5.

Answer 2

Hello dear,

● Explanation -
- Electronic configuration of Xe is given by -
[Xe] => 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 3d10 4s2 4p6 4d10 5s2 5p6.
- This configuration is virtually stable unless a highly electronegative atom like fluorine bonds with it.
- When electrons are shifted from 5p orbital to 5d orbital,
1 electron shifted, ..5p5 5d1 => Half filled orbitals 2
1 electron shifted, ..5p4 5d2 => Half filled orbitals 4
1 electron shifted, ..5p3 5d3 => Half filled orbitals 6
- Thus, Xe can form molecules with only 2,4,6 F atoms and not 1,3,5 F atoms.
- Hence, Xe doesn't form XeF3 and XeF5.

Hope this helps you...