What prompted Bartlett to the discovery of noble gases compounds ?

Answer

Since `PtF_(6)` oxidises `O_(2)` to `O_(2)^(+)`, Barlett thought that `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.