CH322 - Group 18 Elements

Write a short explanation on why the Group 18 elements are the least reactive elements in the Periodic Table.

Group 18 elements are the least reactive because their outermost electron shells are full, making them stable and unreactive. These elements don't readily gain, lose, or share electrons with other atoms to achieve a stable electron configuration.

Describe the data that enabled the chemist, Neil Bartlett, to predict that the Group 18 elements could be involved in chemical reactions.

Neil Bartlett predicted that Group 18 elements could react chemically after noticing that xenon’s ionization energy was similar to that of oxygen. Since he had shown that oxygen could be oxidized by PtF₆, he reasoned that PtF₆ might also oxidize xenon. When he mixed xenon with PtF₆, they formed XePtF₆, proving that noble gases are not completely inert.

State which member of the Group 18 elements has the most known reactions. Explain why this element is more reactive.

Xenon (Xe) has the most known reactions among the Group 18 elements, primarily due to its relatively lower ionization energy compared to other noble gases. This lower ionization energy allows its valence electrons to be more easily captured by electronegative elements like fluorine and oxygen, enabling the formation of compounds like xenon fluorides and xenon oxides.

Xenon balanced reaction

XeF6 + 3H2O —> XeO3 + 6HF