Titanium tetrachloride
[CAS# 7550-45-0]

Identification

• Classification: Inorganic chemical industry >> Inorganic salt >> Metal halides and halides >> Metal chlorides and salts
• Name: Titanium tetrachloride
• Synonyms: Tetrachlorotitanium; Titanic chloride
• Molecular Formula: TiCl₄
• Molecular Weight: 189.68
• CAS Registry Number: 7550-45-0
• EC Number: 231-441-9
• SMILES: Cl[Ti](Cl)(Cl)Cl

Properties

• Density: 1.726
• Melting point: -25 °C
• Boiling point: 135-136 °C
• Flash point: 8 °C
• Water solubility: reacts

Safety Data

• Hazard Symbols: GHS05;GHS06;GHS07;GHS08 Danger
• Risk Statements: H314-H317-H318-H330-H335-H370-H372
• Safety Statements: P260-P261-P264-P264+P265-P270-P271-P272-P280-P284-P301+P330+P331-P302+P352-P302+P361+P354-P304+P340-P305+P354+P338-P308+P316-P316-P317-P319-P320-P321-P333+P317-P362+P364-P363-P403+P233-P405-P501

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Skin corrosion	Skin Corr.	1B	H314
Serious eye damage	Eye Dam.	1	H318
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	2	H330
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	1	H370
Specific target organ toxicity - repeated exposure	STOT RE	1	H372
Specific target organ toxicity - single exposure	STOT SE	3	H335
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1	H317
Skin sensitization	Skin Sens.	1B	H317
Acute toxicity	Acute Tox.	4	H302

• Transport Information: UN 1838; UN 2443

Discovery and Applications

Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) was first synthesized in 1825 by Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius. Berzelius, a pioneer in the field of chemical elements, discovered TiCl₄ while studying titanium compounds. This discovery was crucial to the understanding of titanium chemistry and laid the foundation for its widespread industrial applications.

Titanium tetrachloride is an important compound with the following properties: it appears as a colorless liquid, has a boiling point of 136.4°C (277.5°F), a melting point of -24.5°C (-11.1°F), a density of 1.62 g/cm³, and reacts with water to form titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). TiCl₄ is very reactive, especially with water, forming a white titanium dioxide precipitate and releasing hydrochloric acid. Its reactivity makes it a valuable compound in a variety of chemical processes.

The main use of titanium tetrachloride is in the production of titanium dioxide. It is a precursor for the production of titanium dioxide (TiO₂), a white pigment widely used in paints, coatings, and plastics. The production process involves chlorinating titanium ore to obtain TiCl₄, which is then oxidized to form TiO₂. This pigment is valued for its brightness and opacity.

TiCl₄ is used as a catalyst in various chemical reactions. It is used as a catalyst in the Ziegler-Natta polymerization process to produce polymers such as polypropylene and polyethylene. This catalytic application is essential for the production of high-performance plastics used in numerous industrial and consumer products.

In the metallurgical industry, TiCl₄ is a precursor for the production of titanium metal via the Kroll process. This process reduces TiCl₄ with magnesium to obtain titanium metal, which is essential for aerospace, automotive, and medical applications due to its strength and corrosion resistance.

TiCl₄ is used as a reagent in organic chemistry to synthesize a variety of compounds. The ability of TiCl₄ to form coordination compounds makes it valuable in chemical synthesis and catalysis.

TiCl₄ is used as a flocculant in water treatment processes to help remove impurities and particles from water.

Due to its reactive nature, handling titanium tetrachloride requires careful safety measures, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment including gloves, goggles and lab coats, and avoiding contact with skin and eyes. Work in a well-ventilated area or use a fume hood to prevent inhalation of fumes. Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place away from moisture and incompatible materials. Proper storage prevents unintended reactions and maintains compound stability.

Environmental and health effects must be considered when handling TiCl₄, and spills and leaks should be carefully managed to prevent environmental contamination. The reaction of TiCl₄ with water results in the release of hydrochloric acid, which needs to be controlled to avoid environmental damage. Exposure to titanium tetrachloride may cause irritation to the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. Following safety procedures is essential to minimize health risks.

References

1986. Inhalation toxicity study on rats exposed to titanium tetrachloride atmospheric hydrolysis products for two years. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, 83(1).
DOI: 10.1016/0041-008x(86)90320-0

2012. Anionic polymer compound bioflocculant as a coagulant aid with aluminum sulfate and titanium tetrachloride. Bioresource Technology, 108.
DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.01.012

2017. Electrodeposition of SnO2 on FTO and its Application in Planar Heterjunction Perovskite Solar Cells as an Electron Transport Layer. Nanoscale Research Letters, 12(1).
DOI: 10.1186/s11671-017-2247-x