Normal chemical compounds have ionic or covalent bonds. However, in the clathrates, atoms or molecules of the appropriate size such as Ar, Kr and Xe may be trapped in cavities in the crystal lattice of other compounds such as frozen water of frozen aq. solution of quinol (1,4-dihydroxy benzene). Though the noble gases are trapped, yet they do not form bonds.

He and Ne do not form clathrate compounds, because these atoms are small enough to escape from the cavities.