What prompted Bartlett to the discovery of noble gases compounds ?

Explanation

Since `PtF_(6)` oxidises `O_(2)` to `O_(2)^(+)`, Bartlett thought `PtF_(6)` should also oxidise Xe to `Xe^(+)` because the ionization enthalpies of `O_(2)` (1175 kJ `mol^(-1)`) and Xe (1170 kJ `mol^(-1)`) are quite close.