What is "xenic acid"

n. (context lang=en inorganic compound) The powerful oxidizing agent H₂XeO₄ formed by the dissolution of xenon trioxide in water

Xenic acid is a noble gas compound formed by the dissolution of xenon trioxide in water. Its chemical formula is HXeO. It is a very powerful oxidizing agent, and its decomposition is dangerous as it liberates a large amount of gaseous products: xenon, oxygen, and ozone.

Its existence was hypothesized by Linus Pauling in 1933. Xenic acid has been used as an oxidizing agent in organic chemistry.

Salts of xenic acid are called xenates, containing the anion. They tend to disproportionate into xenon gas and perxenates:

2 + 2 → + Xe + + 2

The energy given off is sufficient to form ozone from diatomic oxygen:

3 (g) → 2 (g)

Salts containing the completely deprotonated anion are presently unknown.