How Is Xenon Tetrafluoride Synthesized?

Xenon tetrafluoride (XeF4) can be synthesized by reacting xenon gas with excess fluorine gas under controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, and lighting. The reaction takes place in a sealed container made of materials that are resistant to the highly reactive products. The overall reaction equation is:

Xe + 2F2 → XeF4

The reaction is exothermic and highly explosive if not properly controlled. Therefore, it is usually carried out in small batches and with careful monitoring of the reaction conditions. Once the reaction is complete, the mixture is cooled and the product is purified through sublimation or distillation. The resulting XeF4 is a colorless crystalline solid with a melting point of 128.5 °C and a boiling point of 165.8 °C.