Question

What inspired N. Bartlett for carrying out reaction between $Xe$ and $Pt{F}_6$?

Answer 1

$Pt{F}_6$, a powerful oxidizing agent combines with oxygen to form $O_2^{+}[Pt{F}_6{]}^{-}$ . This shows that $Pt{F}_6$ has oxidized $O_2$ to $O_2^{+}$.
Following are the similarities between oxygen and xenon:
(i) They have similar first ionization enthalpies, 1170 kJ/mol and 1166 kJ/mol for oxygen and xenon respectively.
(ii) The molecular diameter of oxygen and the atomic radius of Xe are similar (4 Angstroms).
This inspired N. Bartlett to carry out reaction between Xe and $Pt{F}_6$.