Noble Gas Clathrate Formation and Separation Analysis

This question assesses the understanding of clathrate formation by noble gases and a specific separation technique.

Assertion (A) Analysis: He and Ne Do Not Form Clathrates

Assertion (A) states that Helium (He) and Neon (Ne) do not form clathrates. Clathrates are inclusion compounds where guest molecules are trapped within cages formed by host molecules. He and Ne are very small noble gas atoms with weak van der Waals forces. Their small size and low polarizability make it difficult for them to be effectively trapped within the cages of typical clathrate-forming substances like quinol or water.

Larger noble gases, such as Argon (Ar), Krypton (Kr), and Xenon (Xe), have larger atomic radii and stronger van der Waals interactions, making them more prone to forming clathrates. Therefore, Assertion (A) is correct.

Reason (R) Analysis: Separation Using Quinol

Reason (R) states that He and Ne can be separated from Ar, Kr, and Xe using quinol. Quinol can form clathrate structures. When a mixture of noble gases is treated with quinol under appropriate conditions, quinol forms stable clathrates with the larger noble gases (Ar, Kr, Xe) by trapping them in its crystal lattice.

Helium (He) and Neon (Ne), due to their small size and weak interaction, do not effectively form clathrates with quinol. They remain unbound and can be easily separated from the trapped heavier noble gases. Thus, Reason (R) is also correct.

Relationship Between Assertion (A) and Reason (R)

Assertion (A) makes a general statement about the inability of He and Ne to form clathrates. Reason (R) describes a specific application, the separation of these gases using quinol, which relies on their differing abilities to form clathrates. While Reason (R) correctly describes a phenomenon that occurs because He and Ne do not form clathrates (as stated in A), it does not explain the fundamental *reason why* He and Ne do not form clathrates. The underlying cause for (A) is the atomic size and weak intermolecular forces of He and Ne, not the separation process itself.

Therefore, both statements are correct, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation for Assertion (A). It is an application demonstrating the principle stated in (A).

Conclusion

Based on the analysis:

• Assertion (A) is correct.
• Reason (R) is correct.
• Reason (R) does not provide the fundamental explanation for why Assertion (A) is true.

This corresponds to option B.