What idea lead to the discovery of Xenon fluorides?

Answer

Neil Bartlett obtained an orange yellow solid from the reaction of xenon with `PtF_(6)` to have `Xe^(+)[PtF_(6)]^(-)` He noticed earlier that `O_(2)` with `PtF_(6)` reacts to give `O_(2)^(+)[PtF_(6)]^(-)` and since ionisation enthalpies of `O_(2)` and `Xe` were close to each other `(Xe=1170, O_(2)=1175 kJ mol^(-1))`, he could succed to prepare `Xe^(+)[PtF_(6)]^(-)` from `Xe` and `PtF_(6)`.