ABSTRACT
Noble-gas chemistry was started in 1962 with the discovery of xenon hexafluoroplatinate followed with a number of compounds binding xenon or krypton. We highlight the classical and more exotic noble-gas compounds and discuss the nature of their bonding starting with strongly bound systems and progressing to weak interactions. Noble-gas hydrides with the common formula HNgY were found in 1995, which led later to the identification of the first argon compound HArF. The formation mechanism of noble-gas hydrides at low temperatures is described in detail followed with a model of bonding. The interactions of the noble-gas hydrides with their surroundings and with complexing molecules are discussed. The chapter ends with known and potential applications of noble gases and with challenges encountered.
