Neil Bartlett initially carried out a reaction between oxygen and PtF6. This resulted in the formation of a red compound,
Later, he realized that the first ionization energy of oxygen (1175 kJ/mol) and Xe (1170 kJ/mol) is almost the same. Thus, he tried to prepare a compound with Xe and PtF6. He was successful and a red-coloured compound,
was formed.
