Bartlett estimates that more than 100 noble gas compounds are known today. These fragile compounds are energy rich: they tend to be extremely unstable and therefore highly reactive. More are being discovered every year. In 2002, researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland reported the formation of the first and only known argon compound (produced at extremely low temperatures). Of the six known noble gases, only helium and neon have not formed compounds to date.

Noble gas compounds have already made an impact on our daily lives. XeF₂ has been used to convert uracil to 5-fluorouracil, one of the first anti-tumor agents. The reactivity of radon means that it can be chemically scrubbed from the air in uranium mines and other mines. Excimer lasers use compounds of argon, krypton or xenon to produce precise beams of ultraviolet light (when electrically stimulated) that are used to perform eye surgery for vision repair.

Compounds of the gases are poised to play an even bigger role in the future. Researchers recently succeeded in combining noble gases with hydrocarbons, a development that could lead to new and better synthetic approaches to some organic materials. Noble gas compounds also show promise as green chemistry reagents that allow for more environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. Bartlett believes even the highly fragile compounds being produced in Helsinki will provide benefits as yet unforeseen. All trace their legacy back to the pivotal moment in a chemistry lab at the University of British Columbia, when a clever young scientist turned conventional wisdom upside down with the help of a memorable experiment and changed the face of chemistry forever.

¹ Interview with Mark Sampson.