Which of the following is an explosive compound ?

Options

A. `XeO_(3)`
B. `XeF_(2)`
C. `XeOF_(2)`
D. `XeOF_(4)`

Answer

To determine which of the following compounds is an explosive compound, we need to analyze the given options: XeO3, XeF2, XeO2, and XeO4.

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Compounds**: We have four compounds of xenon:
- XeO3
- XeF2
- XeO2
- XeO4

2. **Analyze the Nature of Each Compound**:
- **XeF2**: This compound contains fluorine, which is a strong electronegative element. It is not known to be explosive.
- **XeO2**: This compound is a lower oxidation state oxide of xenon and is relatively stable.
- **XeO4**: This compound is also an oxide of xenon but is more stable than XeO3.
- **XeO3**: This compound has xenon in a +6 oxidation state, which makes it less stable and more reactive.

3. **Stability and Oxidizing Properties**:
- XeO3 is known to be a strong oxidizing agent due to its instability. It tends to decompose easily, especially at elevated temperatures.
- The decomposition reaction of XeO3 can be represented as:
\[ 2 \text{XeO}_3 \rightarrow \text{Xe} + 3 \text{O}_2 \]
- This reaction is exothermic, releasing a significant amount of heat (approximately -402 kJ/mol).

4. **Conditions for Explosion**:
- At around 25 degrees Celsius, the heat released from the decomposition of XeO3 is sufficient to cause a violent explosion due to the rapid release of oxygen gas and the high energy involved in the reaction.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Among the given options, **XeO3** is the explosive compound due to its instability and the exothermic nature of its decomposition reaction.

### Final Answer:
**XeO3 is the explosive compound.**

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