How was methylene preserved long enough for study in a xenon matrix?

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carbene Nonbonding orbitals in triplet and singlet states

Methylene is preserved for study in a xenon matrix through a technique known as matrix isolation. Because methylene is highly reactive, it is generated by the photolysis of diazo compounds at extremely low temperatures—specifically, by cooling the inert gas xenon to the boiling point of helium.1

By performing this reaction within such an unreactive solid medium, the resulting carbene is prevented from undergoing further reactions, allowing it to persist long enough for scientific study.1