Noble gases

[Lelija Kazlauskas 3J]

Why would a noble gas like xenon form a covalent bond? It's valence shell is already full.

[zachary_nhem_4I]

This occurs because some elements are able to have an expanded octet. This occurs when the valence shell has enough orbitals to accommodate for the additional electrons.

[Kendall 3H]

Xeon and other noble gases with 8 electrons in their valence shells can still form covalent bonds because of their expanded octet.

[RasikaObla_4I]

Noble gases from the 3p orbital onwards are able to have an expanded octet because the electrons can expand into the d subshell. As a result, xenon is able to form a covalent bond because it can expand its octet.