NgCHEM · Noble-Gas Compounds meet X-ray Charge Density and High-Pressure Research

This project aims to study noble-gas compounds by X-ray charge-density analysis and explore the structural behavior of selected noble-gas species under high-pressure in GPa range. Experimental electron-density distribution of reactive fluorides is rarely studied and no experimental charge-density analysis on noble-gas compounds has been reported to this date. Moreover, there is a genuine interest in noble-gas chemistry under extreme conditions of high pressure. However, the vast majority of studies are computational predictions and experiment significantly lags behind the theory. The project results would constitute the first X-ray charge density analysis on noble-gas compounds. This would provide new insights into the chemical bonding of noble-gas compounds and nature of their intermolecular interactions. Moreover, diamond anvil cell experiments would significantly advance our understanding of the hitherto unknown high-pressure chemical and structural behavior of noble-gas compounds. An ambitious, but challenging, experimental charge-density analysis of noble-gas compound under high pressure in diamond anvil cell will also be undertaken. Special experimental methods and techniques will be employed for the synthesis and structural characterization of reactive and air-sensitive noble-gas compounds. The two-way transfer of knowledge and skills, therefore represents an important aspect of this project.