University Chemistry ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (9): 182-201.doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202508055

• Survey of Chemistry • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Special chemical species of neon: research progress and bonding mechanism

Jianlin Ren, Bing Li, Yan Guo, Xiangyu Liu   

  1. National Key Laboratory of Coal Efficient Utilization and Green Chemical Technology, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ningxia University, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2025-08-19 Accepted:2025-10-17 Published:2026-09-01
  • Contact: Jianlin Ren E-mail:rjl@nxu.edu.cn

Abstract: Neon, characterized by its closed-shell 2s22p6 valence electron configuration, is a light noble gas and exhibits pronounced chemical inertness under standard conditions. With the advances in modern chemical methodologies, sophisticated techniques for interrogating potential energy surfaces and in situ experiments under extreme conditions have begun to reveal its latent reactivity. Cryogenic matrix isolation, high-pressure diamond anvil cell experiments and synchrotron radiation-based spectroscopy have uncovered weak interactions between neon and various hosts, achieving the characterization of non-classical compounds. A survey of the literature allows these findings to be classified into three primary categories: inclusion complexes (containing embedded fullerene compounds), ionic compounds with alkali or alkaline earth metals stabilized by high pressure, and van der Waals complexes (including charge-transfer species with carbon tetrachloride) formed with silicon-containing radicals in cryogenic matrices. The bonding mechanisms are highly similar to those of helium compounds that have been reported.

Key words: Noble gas, Neon, Clathrate, Compound, Complex