Xenon fluorides-xenon fluorides act as a strong oxidizing agent

Why are xenon fluorides act as a strong oxidizing agent ?

The ionization potential of noble gas elements are very much high due to their complete valence shell.

That is why, inert gas elements have no tendency to participate in chemical reactions. 

But, under certain condition ‘Xe’ and Kr form few fluorides as well as oxide compounds.

So, xenon fluorides have an affinity for electrons to regain inert gas configuration and hence, xenon fluorides act as very strong oxidizing reagent.

The oxidizing power of xenon fluoride compounds increase with increase in oxidation number of xenon(Xe) element.

For example, xenon hexa-fluoride[ XeF₆ ] is more stronger oxidizing than xenon di-fluoride[XeF₂ ].

There are some chemical reaction of xenon fluorides where xenon fluorides act as oxidizing substances .

Such as,xenon fluoride oxidized hydrogen to form HF molecule and Cl^–, I^– to Cl₂ and I₂ respectively.

 It also oxidized Ce(III) compounds to Ce(IV) compounds and Br(V) compound to Br(VII ) compound.

Octet expansion of xenon fluorides.

Xenon fluorides and also other xenon compounds does not obey octet rule.

All the xenon compounds including xenon fluorides show expansion of octet.

• Read more : What is activating groups in organic chemistry ?
  Why is phenol more activethan benzene towards electrophilic reaction?  

Summary :

Why are xenon fluorides act as a strong oxidizing substance ?

Octet expansion of xenon fluorides. 

Octet rule definition and limitation with examples.