Synthesis, crystal structure and phase transition of a Xe–N2 compound at high pressure: experimental indication of orbital interaction between xenon and nitrogen

Abstract

The van der Waals compound Xe(N₂)₂ with a C15 Laves structure was successfully synthesised at pressures greater than 4.4 GPa. We found that, at 10 GPa, the structure reversibly transforms from a cubic to a tetragonal phase. Further compression results in changes of Xe–N compound, which could result in the enhancement of orbital interactions between the xenon and nitrogen atoms.