Xenon octafluoride

Xenon octafluoride is a chemical compound of xenon and fluorine with the chemical formula XeF₈.^[1] This is still a hypothetical compound.^[2][3] XeF₈ is predicted to be unstable even under pressures reaching 200 GPa.^[4]

Xenon octafluoride

Approximate geometry predicted computationally
Names
IUPAC name Octafluoroxenon
Other names Xenon(VIII) fluoride
Identifiers
CAS Number	17457-75-9
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
InChI InChI=1S/F8Xe/c1-9(2,3,4,5,6,7)8 Key: CDIGVRPYRMDMBF-UHFFFAOYSA-N
SMILES F[Xe](F)(F)(F)(F)(F)(F)F
Properties
Chemical formula	F8Xe
Molar mass	283.280 g·mol−1
Related compounds
Related compounds	Osmium octafluoride
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Infobox references

History

The compound was initially predicted in 1933 by Linus Pauling—among other noble gas compounds but which, unlike other xenon fluorides, could probably never be synthesized.^[5][6] This appears to be due to the steric hindrance of the fluorine atoms around the xenon atom. However, scientists continue to try to synthesize it.^[7]

Potential synthesis

The formation of xenon octafluoride has been calculated to be endothermic:^[8]

Xe + 4 F₂ → XeF₈

Ion

The doubly charged anion octafluoroxenate XeF²⁻
₈ in which the oxidation number of xenon is only VI, is stable in salts.