3. Synthesis of Noble Gas Compounds: Defying the Common Perception

Although they were not assigned a place in original Mendeleev periodic table, noble gases found a special place in popular science history. Their discovery, prediction about their reactivity, and preparation of first compound of noble gases are a display of utter determination, innovation, scientific temperament, and conviction. Since discovery, noble gases have been considered as inert or rare gases that are unable to react with other elements. This notion was shattered in 1962 when Bartlett prepared first noble gas compound. Subsequently, a flurry of synthetic and structural work ensued in hundreds of noble gas compounds. This chapter will take the readers on a journey of how the noble gases were discovered from the 0.1% discrepancy in assigning the density of nitrogen. Moving further, the chapter will shine light on how a 60 years long dogma related to the inertness of noble gases was overthrown in one master stroke. In addition to this, the chapter will also provide the discussion on the synthesis of compounds of noble gases and how the compounds which are almost impossible to prepare under ambient conditions become reality under high pressure. Furthermore, an enigma related to missing xenon phenomenon and proposed models to explain this paradox has also been included in this chapter. In the last, the chapter would like to draw the attention of the readers toward a question; was coaxing reactivity from these intractable elements not remarkable?