Titanium tetrachloride
Titanium tetrachloride is a chemical compound made of titanium and chlorine. It has the chemical formula TiCl4. Titanium tetrachloride is an important step in making titanium metal from ores.
Properties
[change | change source]Pure titanium tetrachloride is a colorless liquid at room temperature. Impurities like vanadium oxychloride can give it a yellow color.
Titanium tetrachloride reacts with water to make titanium dioxide and hydrochloric acid.
Preparation
[change | change source]Titanium tetrachloride is made using the chloride process. Impure titanium dioxide is treated with chlorine gas and refined carbon, making the tetrachloride and carbon monoxide.[1] Distillation is used to separate out impurities.
Uses
[change | change source]Titanium tetrachloride is used in the Kroll process to make titanium metal. It is also used to make pure titanium dioxide, which is used as a pigment.
Titanium tetrachloride was used to make smoke screens for warships during the Second World War.[2]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ Andrade Gamboa, Julio; Bohé, Ana E.; Pasquevich, Daniel M. (1999). "Carbochlorination of TiO2". Thermochimica Acta. 334 (1–2): 131–139. doi:10.1016/S0040-6031(99)00141-0.
- ↑ Lieutenant Commanders Dylan and Trevor Phillips-Levine, U.S Navy (January 2022). "Fog of War: The Navy Should Reconsider Smokescreen Tactics". Proceedings. Vol. 148/1/1, 427. U.S. Naval Institute.
