Xenon does not form fluorides such as `XeF_(3)` and `XeF_(5)`. Explain.

Explanation

We know that all the occupied orbitals in xenon atom are paired. By the promotion of one, two or three electrons from the filled `p-`orbitals to the vacant `d-`orbitals in the valence shell, two, four or six half filled orbitals are formed. Thus, xenon can combine only with even number of fluorine atoms and not odd. In other words, it cannot form compounds like `XeF_(3)` and `XeF_(5)`.