Answer the question on basis of passage given below:
The noble gases \(He\) to \(Rn\) have closed shell configuration and are monoatomic gases under normal conditions. Though mostly unreactive, direct reaction of Xe with \(F_2\) leads to a series of compounds with Xe oxidation numbers +2, +4 and +6. When certain compounds like phenol and quinol are crystallised in the presence of noble gas such as Ar, Kr and Xe a category of compound called clathrates are formed. In these the noble gas atoms are trapped in the cavities of the crystal lattices. The compounds which crystallise are known as hosts (H) while the noble gas atoms are called guests (G). The general formula of a clathrate compound is nHmG, where n is the number of host molecules and m is the number of guest atoms.
\(XeF_4\) and \(XeF_6\) are
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → oxidizing agents
In \( \ce{XeF4} \) and \( \ce{XeF6} \) xenon is in the high oxidation states +4 and +6. These compounds readily give up fluorine and are reduced to xenon, so they act as strong oxidising (fluorinating) agents. For example:
\( \ce{XeF4 + 2H2 -> Xe + 4HF} \)
\( \ce{XeF4 + Pt -> Xe + PtF4} \)
In each reaction Xe goes from +4 to 0, so \( \ce{XeF4} \) is reduced and oxidises the other reactant.
Why the other options are incorrect
Option (1) reducing agents — Incorrect. Xe in +4/+6 cannot easily lose more electrons; the compounds take electrons, they do not give them.
Option (3) Unreactive — Incorrect. They are very reactive; they are hydrolysed even by traces of water and fluorinate many substances.
Option (4) strongly basic — Incorrect. They do not accept protons; with fluoride ion they behave as Lewis acids (\( \ce{XeF6} \) + MF → M+[XeF7]−).
Note: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic is not there in the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it is also out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.
NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Xenon-Fluorine Compounds – “… XeF2, XeF4 and XeF6 are colourless crystalline solids and sublime readily at 298 K. They are powerful fluorinating agents.”