Xenon in Rigid Oxide Frameworks: Structure, Bonding and Explosive Properties of Layered Perovskite K₄Xe₃O₁₂

The tendency of high-valence xenon to form consolidated oxide structures is herein supported by the study of K₄Xe₃O₁₂, the first example of a layered xenon perovskite. Xenon seems to be the only nontransition element that can adopt single-cation oxide perovskite frameworks. At the same time, peculiarities of electronic structure of xenon impose specific features on the bonding within a perovskite structure. Weak supramolecular interactions known as aerogen bonds are the linkers that maintain structural integrity of perovskite slabs in K₄Xe₃O₁₂. The occurrence of aerogen bonding can provide an insight into the explosive properties of K₄Xe₃O₁₂: the weakness of supramolecular interactions allows consideration of them as possible trigger bonds responsible for the detonation sensitivity of layered xenon perovskite.