The p- block elements-Group 18 elements

2-Helium,

1s2

General electronic configuration- ns2np6 [except

helium- 1s2]

He
10-Neon,
[He]2s22p6

Atomic radii

Ar

[Ne]3s23p6

Ionisation enthalpy - size

36-Krypton,

[Ar]3d104s24p6

Ne
18-Argon,

Kr
54-Xenon,

[Kr]4d105s25p6

Xe
86-Radon,
Rn

[Xe]4f145d106s26
p

Radon is radioactive-difficult to study

1.What inspired N. Bartlett for

In 1962, Neil Bartlett first prepared a red

carrying out reaction between

compound O2+PtF6 . He realised that the

Xe and PtF6?

first ionisation enthalpy of O2 was same

as xenon. Then he prepared red colour
compound Xe+PtF6 by mixing PtF6 and
xenon.

2.Why are the elements of

Group 18 elements have completely filled

Group 18 known as noble

valence shell orbitals and hence chemically

gases ?

unreactive. They react with a few elements

only under certain conditions.

3.Noble gases are inert [least

(i) Noble gases have completely filled

reactive].

[ns2np6 ]electronic configuration in their

valence shell except helium (1s2 ).
(ii) They have high ionisation enthalpy and
more positive electron gain enthalpy.

4.Noble gases exhibit very high

Due to stable electronic configuration.

ionisation enthalpy.
5.Noble gases have large

Due to stable electronic configuration,

positive values of electron gain

they have no tendency to accept the electron.

enthalpy.
6.Noble gases are monoatomic

They have stable electronic configuration,

they cannot form covalent bonds.

7.Noble gases have

In noble gases, we can measure only van der

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The p- block elements-Group 18 elements

comparatively largest atomic

waals radii which are larger than

size.

covalent radii.

8.Noble gases have very low

Noble gases being monoatomic ,have weak

boiling points.

dispersion forces and hence they are

liquefied at very low temp.

9.Of the noble gases, only

Due to low ionization enthalpy of xenon, it

xenon is known to form real

is possible to excite the paired electrons from

chemical compounds.

np to nd orbitals

10.Noble gases form

Because fluorine and oxygen are strong

compounds with fluorine and

oxidizing agents

oxygen only.

(most electronegative elements)

11.It has been difficult to

Radon is radioactive with very short half-

study the chemistry of radon

life.

12.Xenon readily forms

Xenon has lower ionisation enthalpy than

compounds but krypton does

krypton

not form compounds easily.

13.He and Ne does not form

Stable configuration, high ionization

compounds with fluorine.

enthalpy, absence of vacant d-orbitals.

14.Xenon does not form

By the promotion of 1, 2 or 3 electrons from p-

compounds such as XeF3 and

orbital to the vacant d-orbital in the valence

XeF5

shell results in 2, 4or 6 half filled orbitals. Thus

Xe can combine with only even no. of fluorine
and not odd.

15.Helium is used in diving

Due to low solubility of helium in blood.

apparatus.
16.Helium is used for inflating

Helium is a non-inflammable and light gas.

aeroplane tyres & filling

balloons for meteorological
observations
Radon is obtained as a decay product of
Q. How are xenon fluorides XeF2,
XeF4 and XeF6 obtained?

226

Radium.

226
88

Ra 22286Rn +42He

Q. How are XeO3 and

XeOF4 prepared?

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The p- block elements-Group 18 elements

Partial hydrolysis of XeF6 ,
XeF6 + H2O XeOF4 + 2 HF
XeF6 + 2 H2O XeO2F2 + 4HF
XeF6 + 3 H2O XeO3 + 6 HF
XeF4 + O2 F2 XeF6 + O2
[preparation]

[complete hydrolysis].
XeF2 + PF5 [XeF]+ [PF6]
XeF4 + SbF5 [XeF3]+ [SbF6]

2XeF2 + 2H2O 2Xe + 4 HF + O2

6XeF4 + 12H2O 4Xe +2Xe03 +
24HF + 3 O2

XeF6 +MF M+ [XeF7] (M = Na,K,Rb

or Cs)

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Q. Does the hydrolysis of XeF6 lead to a redox reaction?

No, the products of hydrolysis are XeOF 4 and XeO2F2 where the oxidation states of all
the elements remain the same as it was in the reacting state.
Q.Which one of the following does not exist? (i) XeOF4 (ii) NeF2 (iii) XeF2
(iv) XeF6
NeF2
Q. Give the formula and describe the structure of a noble gas species
which is isostructural with:
(i) ICl4 = XeF4 [square planar](ii) IBr2 = XeF2[linear](iii) BrO3 =
XeO3[pyramidal]