Question

What does \[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{F}}_2}\] on hydrolysis gives:
A.\[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{O}}_3}\]
B.\[{\text{XeO}}\]
C.\[{\text{Xe}}\]
D.\[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{O}}_2}\]

Answer 1

Hint: Xenon fluoride that is \[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{F}}_2}\] upon hydrolysis gets converted into its most stable state, that is its neural state. Water and trifluoride also formed as a by-product.

Complete step by step solution:
The reaction of \[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{F}}_2}\] with water occurs as:
\[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{F}}_2} + {{\text{H}}_2}{\text{O}} \to {\text{Xe}} + \dfrac{1}{2}{{\text{O}}_2} + 2{\text{HF}}\]
The above reaction is a redox reaction. A redox reaction is a reaction in which the oxidation and reduction occurs simultaneously. Xenon has an oxidation state of \[ + 2\] in \[{\text{Xe}}{{\text{F}}_2}\] and Xenon has an oxidation state of zero in the product state. So the oxidation state of xenon decreases from 2 to zero. The decrease in oxidation state is termed as reduction. Water is in \[ - 2\] oxidation state in water but when we see in product the oxidation state of oxygen becomes zero. Oxygen has zero oxidation state in its diatomic state. The oxidation state of oxygen increases from \[ - 2\] to zero. The increase in oxidation state is known as oxidation. Hence the oxygen gets oxidised. The oxidation state of hydrogen and fluorine remains the same on either side.

Hence, the correct option is C.

Note:
Xenon is a chemical element having atomic number 54. It is a noble gas and it is found in trace amounts in the Earth's crust. Xenon is used in flash light, flash lamps, in gas discharge lamps and in photographic flashes. It is also used as a general anaesthetic but it is quite expensive than other conventional anesthetic. Hydrogen fluoride is a colorless and highly corrosive acid. It is commonly used in pharmaceuticals to make anti depressant medicine. It is also used in the production of many polymers like Teflon, fluoropolymers etc.