Xenon octafluoride

Xenon octafluoride is a chemical compound of xenon and fluorine with the chemical formula XeF8. This is still a hypothetical compound. XeF8 is reported to be unstable even under pressures reaching 200 GPa.

History
The compound was initially predicted in 1933 by Linus Pauling—among other noble gas compounds but which, unlike other xenon fluorides, could probably never be synthesized. This appears to be due to the steric hindrance of the fluorine atoms around the xenon atom. However, scientists continue to try to synthesize it.

Potential synthesis
The formation of xenon octafluoride has been calculated to be endothermic:


 * Xe + 4 F2 → XeF8