What inspired N. Bartlett,for carrying out the reaction between Xe and `PtF_6`?

Explanation

N. Bartlett (1962) noticed that PtF6 (platinum hexafluoride) is a powerful oxidising agent and combined with molecular oxygen `(O_2)` to form an ionic compound dioxygenylhexafluoroplatinate(V) or `O_2^+ [PtF_6]^-` . Formation of this compound indicates that `PtF_6` can oxidise `O_2` to `O_2^+` ion .
`PtF_6 + O_2 (g) to O_2^+ [PtF_6]^- (s)`
Now Xenon and dioxygen have certain similarities like:
(i) First ionisation energy of xenon and dioxygen `(O_2)` molecule are almost equal.
(ii) Molecular size of oxygen and Xenon are almost equal.
Taking into account the above two factors, Bartlett argued that since oxygen combines with platinum hexafluoride, so Xenon should also form similar compound with platinum hexafluoride. When he mixed deep red vapours of PtF6 with an excess of Xe at room temperature an orange yellow solid of formula `Xe^+ [PtF6]^-` was formed.
`Xe(g) + PtF_6 (g) to Xe^+ [PtF_6]^- (s)`