Xenon trioxide (CAS NO.13776-58-4) is a strong oxidising agent and can oxidise most substances that are susceptible. However, it is slow-acting and this reduces its usefulness.
When it dissolves in water, an acidic solution of xenic acid is formed:
XeO3 (aq) + H2O → H2XeO4 H+ + HXeO4−
This solution is stable at room temperature and lacks the explosive properties of xenon trioxide. It oxidises carboxylic acids quantitatively to carbon dioxide and water.
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