Tetraxenonogold(II)
Tetraxenonogold(II)
Chemical compound
Tetraxenonogold(II), gold tetraxenide(II) or AuXe2+
4 is a cationic complex with a square planar configuration of atoms. It is found in the compound AuXe2+
4(Sb
2F−
11)
2 (tetraxenonogold(II) undecafluorodiantimonate), which exists in triclinic and tetragonal crystal modifications.[1] The AuXe2+
4 ion is stabilised by interactions with the fluoride atoms of the counterion. The Au−Xe bond length is 274 pm (2.74 Å).[2][3]
Tetraxenonogold(II) is unusual in that it is a coordination complex of xenon, which is weakly basic. It is also unusual in that it contains gold in the +2 oxidation state. It can be produced by reduction of AuF3 by xenon in the presence of fluoroantimonic acid. The salt crystallises at low temperature.[4] Four xenon atoms bond with the gold(II) ion to make this complex.
It was the first description of a compound between a noble gas and a noble metal. It was first described in 2000 by Konrad Seppelt and Stefan Seidel. Several related compounds containing gold(III)–xenon and gold(I)–xenon bonds have since been isolated. A compound containing a mercury–xenon bond [HgXe]2+[Sb2F11]–[SbF6]– (xenonomercury(II) undecafluorodiantimonate hexafluoroantimonate) has also been isolated.[5]