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The Reactive Noble Gases

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Date: 1962
Category:
Creator(s): Bartlett, Neil

In 1962 Neil Bartlett demonstrated the first reaction of a noble gas. The noble gas family of elements - helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon - had previously been regarded as inert. By combining xenon with a platinum fluoride, Bartlett created the first noble gas compound. This reaction began the field of noble gas chemistry, which became fundamental to the scientific understanding of the chemical bond. Noble gas compounds have helped create anti-tumor agents and have been used in lasers.

Tags: Era: 1960-1969
Innovation designated by:
Neil Bartlett and the Reactive Noble Gases
Image courtesy University of British Columbia Library.
Neil Bartlett and the Reactive Noble Gases
Address:
Dept of Chemistry
Univ of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC, Canada

Dept of Chemistry

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