How do you explain the reactivity of the noble gases in terms of valence electrons?

1 Answer
anor277
Nov 9, 2015

All of the Noble gases have complete valence shells. I know I am not telling you anything new.

Explanation:

Given a full valence shell, Noble gases, are (i) hard to oxidize, and (ii) hard to reduce. The Noble gases should therefore have a quite limited chemistry, as indeed they do. Nevertheless, even for #He#, some reaction chemistry is known; i.e. #He_2^+# is not something you'll be able to put in a bottle, but it is known spectroscopically.

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