The successful synthesis of the first noble gas compound by Neil Bartlett was inspired by a remarkab — p Block Elements Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Bartlett noticed that the first ionization enthalpy of molecular Oxygen ($1175 \text{ kJ/mol}$) is nearly identical to that of Xenon ($1170 \text{ kJ/mol}$). Having synthesized $O_2^+[PtF_6]^-$, he correctly hypothesized that Xenon could react similarly to form $Xe^+[PtF_6]^-$.