Titanium tetraisopropanolate

Reactions

• Catalyst for the synthesis of acyclic epoxy alcohols and allylic epoxy alcohols.
• Useful for diastereoselective reduction of alpha-fluoroketones.
• Catalyzes the asymmetric allylation of ketones.
• Reagent for the synthesis of cyclopropylamines from aryl and alkenyl nitriles.
• Useful for racemic and/or enantioselective addition of nucleophiles to aldehydes, ketones and imines.
• Catalytic intramolecular formal [3+2] cycloaddition.
• Catalyst for the synthesis of cyclopropanols from esters and organomagnesium reagents

Chemical Properties

colourless to light yellow liquid

Uses

Catalyst especially for asymmetric induction in organic syntheses; in preparation of nanosized TiO2. Complexing agent in sol-gel process.

Uses

Titanium(IV) isopropoxide is used as a precursor for the preparation of titanium and barium-strontium-titanate thin films. It is useful to make porous titanosilicates and potential ion-exchange materials for cleanup of radioactive wastes. It is an active component of Sharpless epoxidation as well as involved in the synthesis of chiral epoxides. In Kulinkovich reaction, it is involved as a catalyst in the preparation of cyclopropanes.

Definition

ChEBI: Titanium(IV) isopropoxide is a titanium coordination entity consisting of a titanium(IV) cation with four propan-2-olate anions as counterions.

General Description

Tetraisopropyl titanate appears as a water-white to pale-yellow liquid with an odor like isopropyl alcohol. About the same density as water. Vapors heavier than air.

Air & Water Reactions

Highly flammable. Fumes in air. Soluble in water. Decomposes rapidly in water to form flammable isopropyl alcohol.

Reactivity Profile

Metal alkyls, such as TETRAISOPROPYL TITANATE, are reducing agents and react rapidly and dangerously with oxygen and with other oxidizing agents, even weak ones. Thus, they are likely to ignite on contact with alcohols.

Health Hazard

Inhalation or contact with material may irritate or burn skin and eyes. Fire may produce irritating, corrosive and/or toxic gases. Vapors may cause dizziness or suffocation. Runoff from fire control or dilution water may cause pollution.

Flammability and Explosibility

Flammable

Purification Methods

Dissolve it in dry *C6H6 , filter if a solid separates, evaporate and fractionate. It is hydrolysed by H2O to give solid Ti2O(iso-OPr)2 m ca 48o. [Bradley et al. J Chem Soc 2027, 1952, Bradley et al. J Chem Soc 469 1957, Beilstein 1 II 328, 1 IV 1469S.]