Anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are increasing the atmospheric CO2 concentration and the oceans are absorbing around 1/3 them. The CO2 hydrolysis increases the H+ concentration, decreasing the pH, while the proportions of the HCO3- and CO32- ions are also affected. This process already led to a decrease of 0.1 pH units in surface seawater. According to "business-as-usual" models, provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the pH is expected to decrease 0.3-0.5 units by 2100 and 0.7-0.8 by 2300. As a result the surface ocean carbonates chemistry will also change: with increasing pCO2, dissolved inorganic carbon will increase and the equilibrium of the carbonate system will shift to higher CO2 and HCO3– levels, while CO32– concentration will decrease. Surface seawaters will progressively become less saturated towards calcite and aragonite saturation state and some particular polar and cold water regions could even become completely undersaturated within the next 50 years. <p>Responses of marine organisms to environmental hypercapnia, i.e. to an excess of CO2 in the aquatic environment, can be extremely variable and the degree of sensitivity varies between species and life stages. Sea urchins are key stone species in many marine ecosystems. They are considered to be particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification effects not only due to the nature of their skeleton (magnesium calcite) whose solubility is similar or higher than that of aragonite, but also because they lack an efficient ion regulatory machinery, being therefore considered poor acid-base regulators. Populations from polar regions are expected to be at an even higher risk since the carbonate chemical changes in surface ocean waters are happening there at a faster rate. <p>The goal of this work was to study the effects of low seawater pH exposure of different life stages of sea urchins, in order to better understand how species from different environments and/or geographic origins would respond and if there would be scope for possible adaptation and/or acclimatization.<p>In a first stage we investigated the effects of ocean acidification on the early stages of an intertidal species from temperate regions, the Atlantic Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin, and of a sub-Antarctic species, Arbacia dufresnei. The fertilization, larval development and larval growth were studied on specimens submitted through different pH experimental treatments. The fertilization rate of P. lividus gametes whose progenitors came from a tide pool with high pH decrease was significantly higher, indicating a possible acclimatization or adaptation of gametes to pH stress. Larval size in both species decreased significantly in low pH treatments. However, smaller A. dufresnei echinoplutei were isometric to those of control treatments, showing that size reduction was most likely due to a slower growth rate. In the pH 7.4 (predicted for 2300) treatment, P. lividus presented significantly more abnormal forms than control ones, but A. dufresnei did not. The latter does not seem to be more vulnerable than temperate species, most likely due to acclimatization/adaptation to lower pH seasonal fluctuations experienced by individuals of this population during spring time.<p>In a second stage, adult physiological responses of P. lividus and A. dufresnei to low pH seawaters were studied. Intertidal field P. lividus specimens can experience pH fluctuations of 0.4 units during low tidal cycles, but their coelomic fluid pH will not change. During experimental exposure to low pH, the coelomic fluid (extracellular) pH of both species decreased after weeks of exposure to low seawater pH. However, it owned a certain buffer capacity (higher than that of seawater) which did not seem to be related to passive skeleton dissolution. In laboratory studies, the feeding rate of P. lividus, the RNA/DNA ratio (proxy for protein synthesis and thus metabolism) of both the gonads and the body wall of the studied species and the carbonic anhydrase activity in the body wall (an enzyme involved in calcification and respiratory processes) of A. dufresnei did not differ according to seawater pH. The same was true for spine regeneration (a proxy for calcification) of both species. This shows that both P. lividus and A. dufresnei are able to cope when exposed to mild hypercapnia (lowest investigated pH 7.4) for a mid-term period of time (weeks). In a different set of experiments, pH effects were tested on P. lividus individuals together with two temperatures (10ºC and 16ºC). The pH decrease of the coelomic fluid did not vary between temperatures, neither did its buffer response. The oxygen uptake rates of P. lividus (as a proxy for global metabolic state of the whole organism) increased in lower pH treatments (7.7 and 7.4) in organisms exposed to lower temperatures (10ºC), showing that this was upregulated and that organisms experienced a higher energetic demand to maintain normal physiological functions. For instance, gonad production (given by the RNA/DNA ratio) was not affected neither by temperature, nor pH.<p>Finally, possible morphological and chemical adaptations of cidaroid (“naked”) spines, which are not covered by epidermis, to low magnesium calcite saturation states were investigated. Deep sea field specimens from the Weddell Sea (Antarctica), Ctenocidaris speciosa were studied. Cidaroid spines have an exterior skeleton layer with a polycrystalline constitution that apparently protects the interior part of the monocrystaline skeleton, the stereom (tridimensional magnesium calcite lattice). The cortex of C. speciosa was by its turn divided into two layers. From these, it presented a thicker inner cortex layer and a lower Mg content in specimens collected below the aragonite saturation horizon. The naked cortex seems able to resist to low calcium carbonate saturation state. We suggest that this could be linked to the important organic matrix that surrounds the crystallites of the cortex.<p>Some echinoid species present adaptive features that enable them to deal with low pH stresses. This seems to be related to the environmental conditions to which populations are submitted to. Therefore, organisms already submitted to pH daily or seasonal fluctuations or living in environments undersaturated in calcium carbonate seem to be able to cope with environmental conditions expected in an acidified ocean. Under the realistic scenario of a decrease of ca. 0.4 units of pH by 2100, sea urchins, and echinoderms in general, appear to be robust for most studied processes. Even thought, this general response can depend on different parameters such as exposure time, pH level tested, the process and the life stage considered, our results show that there is scope for echinoids to cope with ocean acidification.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

Poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) ( -conjugated polymer) was prepared as an insoluble polymer network via chain coordination polymerization of 1,4-diethynylbezene catalyzed with [Rh(NBD)acac] complex. Thermodynamic properties and acid-base characteristics of the prepared poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) were studied by means of Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) in the temperature range 80-100 řC. Retention data of selected testing substances were used to determine the Gibbs energy of sorption, the sorption enthalpy and their acid-base and disperse parts as well as the disperse contribution to the surface energy and parameters of KA, KD, ANHPS and DNHPS quantifying the acid-base character of the studied polymer. The results showed that poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) interacted more efficiently with Lewis bases than with Lewis acids. The values of experimental sorption enthalpy were used for the determination of the parameters KA and KD. Values of these parameters classify poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) as the material with a slightly acid character. This conclusion is further supported by the results of H. P. Schreiber method based on the application of ANHPS and DNHPS parameters for the evaluation of the acid-base properties of the material. The infrared spectroscopy proved that poly(1,4-diethynylbenzene) contained...

Gegenstand dieser Arbeit ist die Frage wie thermische und photochemische Gleichgewichte verbunden werden können und sich gegenseitig beeinflussen. Dazu wurden zwei Projekte bearbeitet, zum einen das Konzept der „säure-katalysierten Zykloreversion“ und zum anderen das Konzept der „licht-induzierten pKs Veränderung“. Im ersten Konzepte wurde eine extern steuerbare, thermische Rückreaktion genutzt, um die Zusammensetzung im photostationären Zustand zu kontrollieren. Durch Zugabe von katalytischen Mengen einer starken Säure wurde die Ringöffnung eines Diarylethens, welches mit einem Flurenol substituiert ist, eingeleitet. Der zugrundeliegende Prozess wurde kinetisch und thermodynamisch, sowohl durch Experimente als auch durch computergestützte Rechnungen beschrieben. Eine säure-induzierte Dehydratation öffnet einen neuen Reaktionspfad, wodurch die normalerweise sehr hohe Reaktionsbarriere der Ringöffnung umgangen werden kann. Die quantitative Umsetzung mit Säure führt zu einer kompletten Löschung der photochemischen Reaktivität. Dieses Konzept kann in der Speicherung von Lichtenergie in photochromen metastabilen Systemen genutzt werden. Durch die Nutzung von 3-H-Thiazol-2-on als Rest im Diarylethen konnte eine signifikante pKs Änderung von 2.8 Einheiten in wässriger Umgebung erreicht werden. Dabei wurden zwei Säure-Base Gleichgewichtssysteme miteinander gekoppelt, welche an der thermischen Umwandlung gehindert sind, jedoch photochemisch ineinander überführt werden können. Des Weiteren wurde eine hohe Abhängigkeit der Quantenausbeute von dem Protonierung festgestellt. Diese wurde genutzt um die Performance der Photoreaktion zu beeinflussen. Die Beeinflussung der Photoreaktion erfolgt nicht durch Veränderung der Energetik des Grundzustandes, sondern durch Veränderung der Potentialhyperfläche des angeregten Zustandes. Durch neue molekulare Designs konnte eine signifikante Verbesserung im Vergleich zu bekannter Molekülen und Konzepten in beiden Projekten erreicht werden. / Two projects are implemented in this work, which share the goal to interconnect acid-base equilibria with the photoreactions of diarylethene (DAE) photoswitches. This task can be divided into two logic questions: How can photochemical equilibria be controlled or rather influenced via an acidic or basic stimulus and how can a photoreaction induce control over an acid-base equilibrium? In the first project, “Acid-Catalyzed Cycloreversion”, an externally tunable thermal back reaction was designed to influence a photochemical equilibrium. Upon addition of catalytic amounts of acid, a closed DAE carrying a fluorenol moiety undergoes facile thermal ring opening. The underlying thermodynamics and kinetics of the entire system have been analyzed experimentally as well as computationally. Appling an excess of acid leads to a complete inhibition of the photoreaction through the introduction of a charge-transfer. My work suggests that acid catalysis provides a useful tool to bypass thermal barriers, potentially usable to efficiently trigger the release of light energy stored in photoswitches. In the second project, entitled “Light-induced pKa Modulation”, a significant pKa change of 2.8 units in an aqueous medium was achieved by connecting two different acid-base equilibria. These thermodynamic equilibria are separated by a high activation barrier, overcome by a photoreaction. The developed system which is based on the incorporation of a 3 H thiazol 2 one moiety into a DAE, shows a strong dependency of the quantum yield and hence, of the photoconversion on the protonation state. Adjusting the pH within the range of the pKa change, a substantial enhancement of the photoconversion is achievable as well as a distinct alteration of the performance of the photoreaction. This effect does not originate from different reaction paths on the ground state potential energy surface (PES), but results presumably from a protonated state dependent difference in the excited PES.

No description available.

Teleost fishes incorporate renal ammonia excretion as part of a greater acid-base regulatory system. However, the transport mechanisms employed by the renal epithelium to excrete ammonia are relatively unknown. I hypothesized that, under metabolic acidosis, increased renal ammonia excretion would be the product of tubular secretion and involve a Na+/NH4+ exchange metabolon mediated through Rhesus (Rh) glycoproteins. To induce metabolic acidosis, goldfish (Carassius auratus) were exposed to a low pH environment (pH 4.0; 48-h). There was a clear signal of metabolic acidosis: a reduction in both plasma [HCO3-] and blood pH with no influence on plasma PCO2. Goldfish demonstrated an elevation in total plasma [ammonia] with a reduction in PNH3 under acidosis. Metabolic acidosis induced higher rates of urinary excretion of acidic equivalents in the form of both NH4+ and titratable acidity-HCO3- (TA-HCO3-) excretion. Urinary Na+ excretion was not affected by acidosis and urine [Na+] did not correlate with urinary [ammonia]. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the kidney was higher in acidotic goldfish. Glomerular filtration rate and urine flow rate were not affected by acidosis. Increased renal NH4+ excretion was due to increased secretion, and not increased filtration, of ammonia. There was a corresponding elevation in Rhcg1b mRNA expression but no change in renal Na+ reabsorption. My data support a secretion-based mechanism of teleost renal ammonia transport. This system is Na+ independent and is likely mediated by Rh glycoproteins and H+ ATPase, involving a parallel H+/NH3 secretion mechanism. To investigate effects of metabolic acidosis on elasmobranch fish, Pacific spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias suckleyi) were infused with an acidic saline (125 mM HCl/375 mM NaCl; 3 ml/kg/h; 24-h). The results are preliminary, with no marked effects of HCl infusion on plasma acid-base or N-status, but increased branchial NHE2 and lower renal NHE3 protein expressions. These data are summarized in an Appendix. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

An inventory of unstable slopes along transportation corridors and performance modeling are important components of geotechnical asset management in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM). Hazards and risk were assessed for 285 unstable slopes along 151 miles of roadway. A multi-criteria model was created to select fourteen sites for two-dimensional probabilistic rockfall simulations and Acid Base Accounting (ABA) tests. Simulations indicate that rock material would likely enter the roadway at all fourteen sites. ABA test results indicate that influence of significant acid-producing potential is generally confined to slaty rocks of the Anakeesta Formation and graphitic schist of the Wehutty Formation. The research illustrates an approach for prioritizing areas for site-specific investigations towards the goal of improving safety in GRSM. These results can help park officials develop mitigation strategies for rockfall, using strategies such as widening ditches and encapsulating acidic rockfall material.

No description available.

<p> Dimethylgermylene (GeMe2) has been generated by laser flash photolysis of 1,1dimethyl-3-phenylgermacyclopent-3-ene (23) and 1,1,3-trimethyl-4phenylgermacyclopent-3-ene (24) in hexanes at 25°C and its absorption maximum (λmax) has been unambiguously established to be 470 nm. GeMe2 decays with second-order kinetics under these conditions (2k/ε. = (10 ± 2) x 10^7 cm s^(-1)) to give Ge2Me4 (λmax = 370 nm). Kinetic studies of the reactions of GeMe2 and Ge2Me4 with typical germylene/digermene scavengers such as 1,3-dienes, olefins, alkynes, alkyl halides, group 14 metal hydrides, carboxylic acids, and amines have been carried out. </p> <p> GeMe2 reacts reversibly with MeOH, t-BuOH and THF to form Lewis acid-base complexes which exhibit relatively strong absorption bands that are blue-shifted with respect to GeMe2 (λmax ~ 295-310 nm). The decay of the Me2Ge-MeOH complex is accelerated in the presence of a Brnnsted acid (acetic acid or methanesulfonic acid) or base (MeONa). The reactions of the Me2Ge-THF complex with sodium methoxide, methanesulfonic acid, 4,4-dimethyl-1-pentene, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butadiene, acetic acid and CC4 have also been studied in THF. </p> <p> The photochemistry of two well-known precursors to GeMe2, namely dodecamethylcyclohexagermane (14) and dimethylphenyl(trimethylsilyl)germane (18) was reinvestigated. Laser flash photolysis of 14 in hexanes led to the formation of two transients, one with λmax= 490 nm (τ < & = 10 ns) and the second with λmax= 470 nm. The latter decays with second-order kinetics with concomitant formation of a new transient with λmax= 370 nm. The transient at 470 nm is assigned to GeMe2 and that at 370 nm to Ge2Me4, based on comparisons to the results obtained from laser flash photolysis of 23 and 24. Laser flash photolysis of 18-in hexane gives rise to two absorption bands centered at λmax = 300 nm and λmax = 430 nm, which are assigned to the dimethylphenylgerrnyl radical and the conjugated gerrnene derivative 38, respectively. GeMe2 cannot be detected in laser flash photolysis experiments with this compound. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

No description available.

This Thesis extends our fundamental knowledge of high-oxidation-state chemistry and in particular compounds of Xe(VIII), Xe(VI), and Ir(V). The crystal structure of XeVIIIO4 was obtained and provides important information on this fundamentally interesting endothermic and shock-sensitive compound. Macroscopic amounts of XeO3F2 have been prepared for the first time. Although the low-temperature Raman spectrum of solid XeO3F2 exhibits some frequency shifts and band splittings of the bending modes, the spectrum is similar to the Raman spectrum of the previously reported matrix-isolated compound. The crystal structures of decomposition and byproducts resulting from the syntheses of XeO3F2 have been obtained for [XeF5][HF2]∙XeOF4 and XeF2∙XeO2F2. The solid-state structure of xenon trioxide, XeO3, was reinvestigated by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction and shown to exhibit polymorphism that is dependent on crystallization conditions. The previously reported α-phase (orthorhombic, P212121) only forms upon evaporation of aqueous HF solutions of XeO3. In contrast, two new phases, β-XeO3 (rhombohedral, R3) and gamma-XeO3 (rhombohedral, R3c) have been obtained by slow evaporation of aqueous solutions of XeO3. The extended structures of all three phases result from Xe=O----Xe bridge interactions among XeO3 molecules that arise from the amphoteric donor-acceptor nature of XeO3. The Xe atom of the trigonal pyramidal XeO3-unit has three Xe---O secondary bonding interactions. The orthorhombic α-phase displays the greatest degree of variation among the contact distances and has a significantly higher density than the rhombohedral phases. The ambient-temperature Raman spectra of solid α- and gamma-XeO3 have also been obtained and assigned for the first time. Xenon trioxide interacts with CH3CN and CH3CH2CN to form O3XeNCCH3, O3Xe(NCCH3)2, O3XeNCCH2CH3, and O3Xe(NCCH2CH3)2. Their low-temperature single-crystal X-ray structures show that the xenon atoms are consistently coordinated to three electron-donor atoms which result in pseudo-octahedral environments around their xenon atoms. The adduct series provides the first examples of a neutral xenon oxide bound to nitrogen bases. Energy-minimized gas-phase geometries and vibrational frequencies were obtained for the model compounds O3Xe(NCCH3)n (n = 1−3) and O3Xe(NCCH3)n∙[O3Xe(NCCH3)2]2 (n = 1, 2). The natural bond orbital (NBO), quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), electron localization function (ELF), and molecular electrostatic potential surface (MEPS) analyses were carried out to further probe the nature of the bonding in these adducts. Xenon trioxide forms adducts with the polytopic nitrogen base ligands: hexamine, DABCO, 2,2’-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, and 4,4’-bipyridine. The adducts were conveniently synthesized in aqueous or CH3CN solutions and are stable at room temperature. The crystal structures of hexamine∙2XeO3, hexamine∙XeO3∙H2O, 2,2’-bipyridine∙XeO3, 1,10-phenanthroline∙XeO3, and 4,4’-bipyridine∙XeO3 have been determined by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The structures consist of XeO3 molecules bridged by the ligands to form extended supramolecular networks with Xe---N bonds which range from 2.634(3) to 2.829(2) Å. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize and probe the room-temperature stabilities of these adducts. The reaction of 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) with XeO3 in aqueous solutions yields thin, plate-shaped crystals which are severely twinned whereas the reaction of DABCO with XeO3 in the presence of HF forms [DABCOH]2[F2(XeO3)2]∙H2O and [DABCOH2][F][H2F3] which were also characterized by low-temperature X-ray crystallography and Raman spectroscopy. A reversible temperature-dependent phase transition occurred for [DABCOH]2[F2(XeO3)2]∙H2O. The structures of 2,2’-bipy∙XeO3 and 1,10-phen∙XeO3 provide the first examples of noble-gas chelates. The structure of hexamine∙XeO3∙H2O provides the first instance in which a noble-gas centre is coordinated by water. These compounds also represent the first examples of sp2- and sp3-hybridized N---Xe(VI) bonds and are rare examples of noble-gas compounds that are air-stable at ambient temperatures. Adducts between XeO3 and three molar equivalents of the nitrogen bases, pyridine and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (4-DMAP), have been synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures of (C5H5N)3XeO3, {(CH3)2)2NC5H4N}3XeO3∙H2O have been determined by low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The reaction of hydrolyzed XeF6 in acetonitrile with pyridine or 4-DMAP afforded [C5H5NH]4[HF2]2[F2(XeO3)2] and [(CH3)2NC5H4NH][HF2]∙XeO3 which were characterized by low-temperature X-ray crystallography and Raman spectroscopy. The structures contain pyridinium cations that are hydrogen bonded to the fluoride coordinated to XeO3 and can be viewed as pyridinium fluoroxenates. The structure of (CH3)2NC5H5N∙XeO3∙H2O contains a water molecule that is hydrogen bonded to two oxygen atoms of two adjacent XeO3 molecules. The pyridine adduct, (C5H5N)3XeO3, was found to be relatively insensitive to shock, whereas the 4-DMAP adduct was extremely shock sensitive. The number of isolable compounds which contain different noble-gas−element bonds is limited for xenon and even more so for krypton. Examples of Xe−Cl bonds are rare and prior to this work, no definitive evidence for a Xe−Br bonded compound existed. The syntheses, isolation, and characterization of the first compounds to contain Xe−Br bonds ([N(C2H5)4]3[Br3(XeO3)3] and [N(CH3)4]4[Br4(XeO3)4]) and their chlorine analogues are described. The bromo- and chloroxenate salts are stable in the atmosphere at room temperature and were characterized in the solid state by Raman spectroscopy, low-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and in the gas phase by quantum-chemical calculations. They are the only known examples of cage anions that contain a noble-gas element. The Xe−Br and Xe−Cl bonds are weakly covalent and can be viewed as σ-hole interactions, similar to halogen bonds. Xenon trioxide reacts with alkali metal fluorides and chlorides to form a variety of room-temperature stable fluoro- and chloroxenate salts. The reaction of XeO3 with various ratios of KF in water afforded three new compounds. The crystal structures of α-K[F(XeO3)2], β-K[F(XeO3)2], α-K[FXeO3], K2[F2(XeO3)] have been determined. The reaction of XeO3 with aqueous CsF resulted in Cs3[F3(XeO3)2]. The XeVI−F bond lengths range from 2.3520(18) to 2.5927(17) Å. No stable product was isolated when [N(CH3)4]F was the fluoride source, but in the presence of HF, crystals of [N(CH3)4]3[HF2]2[H2F3]∙2XeO3 were obtained. The reaction of KCl with XeO3 in equimolar amounts resulted in the formation of K[ClXeO3] whereas the analogous reaction with CsCl yielded Cs3[Cl3(XeO3)4]. Attempts to synthesize Xe–P and Xe–S bonded compounds were unsuccessful and instead resulted in adducts between XeO3 and O-bases such as the phosphine oxide adduct, {(C6H5)3PO}2XeO3 and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) adduct {(CH3)2SO}3(XeO3)2. Although DMSO was found to be resistant to oxidation by XeO3, no significant Xe---S bonding interactions were observed. Acetone was found to be highly resistant to oxidation by XeO3 and forms {(CH3)2CO}3XeO3 at low temperatures. The reaction of pyridine-N-oxide yielded large crystals of (C5H5NO)3(XeO3)2 in which the structure contains short chains in contrast with ((CH3)2SO)3(XeO3)2 whose structure consists of discrete dimers. The reaction of XeO3 with the oxidatively resistant main-group oxide anion source, [N(CH3)4][OTeF5] in CH3CN solvent afforded [N(CH3)4][F5TeOXeO3(CH3CN)2]. Xenon trioxide reacts with potassium hydroxide to form the previously known K4[XeO6]∙2XeO3 salt which was characterized by Raman spectroscopy and low-temperature X-ray crystallography. The reaction of MgO with XeO3 yielded single crystals of [Mg(OH2)6]4[XeO6(XeO3)12O2]∙12H2O, which also contains perxenate-XeO3 interactions. Alkali metal carbonates also incorporate XeO3 into their crystal lattices. Raman spectra of M2[CO3(XeO3)n]∙xH2O (M = Na, K, Rb) were recorded and contain intense bands assigned to the XeO3 stretching modes and very weak bands assigned to the [CO3]2− modes. The reaction of dilute aqueous solutions of XeO3 with RbOH and atmospheric CO2 afforded single crystals of Rb2[CO3(XeO3)2]∙2H2O which were characterized by low-temperature X-ray crystallography. Attempts to incorporate XeO3 into other polyatomic anion salts such as KMnO4, NaClO3, and NaNO3 were unsuccessful. The reaction of IrO2 with XeF6 in aHF provided [Xe2F11][IrF6], whereas the reaction of IrO2 with KrF2 with ClF3 in anhydrous HF solvent provided [ClO2][Ir2F11] and [ClO2][(μ-OIrF4)3]. The structure of [(μ-OIrF4)3]− consists of a six membered Ir3O3 ring with four terminal fluorine atoms on each Ir atom. It was also found that ClF3 forms an adduct with [Xe2F11][HF2] in which the structural parameters of ClF3 are very similar to that of solid ClF3. The [ClO2][Ir2F11] salt provides the first structural information on the [Ir2F11]− anion and the [(μ-OIrF4)3]− anion represents the first isolated iridium oxide fluoride species. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / Xenon is a noble-gas element which is located in the far right-hand column of the periodic table and was previously thought to be chemically unreactive and incapable of forming compounds. In 1962, it was shown that xenon reacts with the most reactive compounds, such as elemental fluorine, but the resulting xenon compounds are themselves highly reactive. This Thesis extends the chemistry of some of the most unstable and chemically reactive xenon compounds that are currently known. One such compound, xenon trioxide, tends to easily detonate unless carefully handled. Methods of stabilizing xenon trioxide were developed and its behaviour with compounds which resulted in formation of new xenon compounds was studied. The molecular structures of these compounds were investigated in the solid with particular emphases on their chemical bonding. Iridium is one of the most chemically resistant metals known. Highly reactive xenon and krypton compounds were used synthesize new iridium compounds.