The complete hydrolysis of which of the following compounds of Xe is a redox reaction?

Options

A. `XeF_2`
B. `XeF_4`
C. `XeF_6`
D. Both (1) and (2)

Answer

To determine which of the xenon compounds undergoes a complete hydrolysis that is a redox reaction, we need to analyze the oxidation states of xenon and other elements in the hydrolysis products of each compound. Let's go through each option step by step.

### Step 1: Analyze XeF2 (Xenon Difluoride)
- **Hydrolysis Reaction**:
\[ \text{XeF}_2 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Xe} + 4\text{HF} \]
- **Oxidation States**:
- In XeF2:
- Xe: +2
- F: -1 (for each F)
- In water (H2O):
- H: +1
- O: -2
- In products:
- Xe: 0 (elemental state)
- HF: H: +1, F: -1
- **Change in Oxidation State**:
- Xe changes from +2 to 0 (reduction).
- O changes from -2 to 0 (oxidation).
- **Conclusion**: This is a redox reaction.

### Step 2: Analyze XeF4 (Xenon Tetrafluoride)
- **Hydrolysis Reaction**:
\[ \text{XeF}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{Xe} + \text{XeO}_3 + 4\text{HF} \]
- **Oxidation States**:
- In XeF4:
- Xe: +4
- F: -1 (for each F)
- In products:
- Xe: 0 (elemental state)
- XeO3: Xe: +6, O: -2
- HF: H: +1, F: -1
- **Change in Oxidation State**:
- Xe changes from +4 to 0 (reduction) and +4 to +6 (oxidation).
- **Conclusion**: This is a redox reaction (disproportionation).

### Step 3: Analyze XeF6 (Xenon Hexafluoride)
- **Hydrolysis Reaction**:
\[ \text{XeF}_6 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{XeO}_3 + 6\text{HF} \]
- **Oxidation States**:
- In XeF6:
- Xe: +6
- F: -1 (for each F)
- In products:
- XeO3: Xe: +6, O: -2
- HF: H: +1, F: -1
- **Change in Oxidation State**:
- Xe remains +6 in both reactants and products.
- **Conclusion**: This is not a redox reaction as there is no change in oxidation state.

### Final Conclusion
- The complete hydrolysis of **XeF2** and **XeF4** are redox reactions, while **XeF6** is not.
- Therefore, the correct answer is **both first and second options**.