Photolysis of noble gas–fluorine mixtures; dimorphism in krypton fluoride chemistry

Abstract

The UV photolysis of krypton–fluorine mixtures at –196°C readily affords KrF₂. Variable-temperature Raman studies on this material indicate a temperature-dependent phase transition at –80°C. The low-temperature UV photolysis of krypton–fluorine mixtures in the presence of Lewis acids (AsF₅ or SbF₅) only affords KrF₂. Variable-temperature Raman studies on the resulting mixtures show that Kr₂F₃⁺SbF₆^–, α- and β-KrF⁺Sb₂F₁₁^–, KrF⁺AsF₆^– and KrF⁺As₂F₁₁^– are formed on warming the mixtures.