TETRA N-BUTYL TITANATE

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is an organotitanium compound that serves as a key building block in materials science and industrial chemistry, particularly in processes where a controlled source of titanium is required. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate belongs to a class of metal alkoxides and has the chemical formula Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, which reveals that a central titanium atom is coordinated by four n-butoxy groups, making it a monomeric alkoxide in its pure form.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate can improve rubber and plastic's adhesion on the metal surface.

CAS Number: 5593-70-4
Molecular Formula: C16H36O4Ti
Molecular Weight: 340.32
EINECS Number :227-006-8

Synonyms: hydrogen(.), 162303-51-7, monohydrogen, Hydrion, H-atom, DTXSID501014229, Tetra-N-butyl titanate, polymer with water, EC 500-687-1, 500-687-1, 12385-13-6, Ghrelin(human), Atomic hydrogen ion, Hydrogen (H+), Hydrogen ion(1+), Hydrogen(1+) ion, Hydrogen (H1+), Hydrogen ion (H+), Atomic hydrogen(1+), Hydrogen ion (H1+), Hydrogen atom ion(1+), Atomic hydrogen ion(1+), Atomic hydrogen ion (H+), Atomic hydrogen cation(1+), CHEBI:29235, Hydrogen, ion (H1+) electrolytic, H(.), 1-Butanol, titanium(4+) salt;1-Butanol,titanium(4+)salt;1-butanol,titanium(4++)salt;Titanium tetrabutanolate;TITANIUM TETRABUTOXIDE;TITANIUM TETRABUTYLATE;TITANIUM TETRA-N-BUTOXIDE;TITANIUM BUTOXIDE

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a metal alkoxide with the formula Ti(OBu)4 (Bu = –CH2CH2CH2CH3). 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a colorless odorless liquid although aged samples can appear yellowish. 
Owing to hydrolysis, samples have a weak alcohol-like odor. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is soluble in many organic solvents.
Decomposition in water is not hazardous, and therefore titanium butoxide is often used as a liquid source of titanium dioxide, which allows deposition of TiO2 coatings of various shapes and sizes down to the nanoscale.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate acts as a crosslinking agent or catalysts for condensation reaction. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in transesterification. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is typically synthesized by the reaction of titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) with n-butanol in an anhydrous environment, often in the presence of a base, producing tetra-n-butyl titanate and hydrogen chloride as a byproduct. 
The resulting liquid is clear to slightly yellow in color, and while it may appear stable at first glance, it is extremely reactive to moisture and air, undergoing rapid hydrolysis when exposed to water vapor.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate can be used as an adhesion promoting and cross-linking agent. 
It is recommended for hydroxylic compounds or heat and corrosion resistant coatings.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate, also known as tetrabutyl orthotitanate or titanium tetrabutoxide, is a chemical compound with the formula Ti(OC₄H₉)₄. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a clear to yellowish liquid that is sensitive to moisture and air, and it has several industrial and chemical applications.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate, also known as titanium tetrabutoxide or tetrabutyl orthotitanate, is a titanium-based organometallic compound that appears as a clear to yellowish liquid and is primarily used as a chemical precursor in the production of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) through sol-gel processes. 

Its chemical formula is Ti(OC₄H₉)₄, which indicates that the titanium atom is bonded to four butoxy groups, making it highly sensitive to moisture and air.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is widely utilized in various industrial applications due to its ability to act as a crosslinking agent, a catalyst in organic synthesis, and a component in the preparation of advanced ceramic materials and optical coatings. 
For example, in sol-gel processing, tetra-n-butyl titanate undergoes hydrolysis and condensation reactions that ultimately lead to the formation of titanium oxide networks used in coatings, films, and high-performance ceramics.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is in sol-gel technology, a process used to fabricate metal oxides from molecular precursors. 
When hydrolyzed in a controlled manner, this compound forms a colloidal suspension that eventually gels and solidifies into a ceramic or glassy material, often used to create thin films, coatings, or nanopowders of titanium dioxide (TiO₂). 
These materials are essential in fields such as photocatalysis, solar cells, pigments, dielectric layers, and self-cleaning surfaces.

Beyond sol-gel synthesis, Tetra N-butyl Titanate is also employed as a catalyst or catalyst precursor in a range of organic reactions, including esterification and transesterification, particularly in the production of biodiesel and various plasticizers. 
Its ability to coordinate with other ligands also makes it useful in modifying polymer properties, enhancing the adhesion, flexibility, and thermal resistance of certain coatings, sealants, and adhesives.
However, due to its high reactivity, especially toward moisture, the compound poses several handling hazards. 

When it comes into contact with water, it not only decomposes but also releases butanol, a flammable alcohol, and generates significant heat, which can pose a fire risk. 
Direct contact with the liquid may cause skin and eye irritation, and inhalation of its vapors can irritate the respiratory system, making it necessary to use protective equipment and work in well-ventilated or controlled environments when handling the substance.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate must be handled with caution because it reacts violently with water, producing butanol and heat, which can lead to flammable vapors and potential hazards. 

Additionally, exposure to tetra-n-butyl titanate may cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation, and it should always be stored under dry, inert conditions such as a nitrogen atmosphere to prevent accidental decomposition.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a reactive and versatile compound that plays a critical role in high-tech materials manufacturing, but its use requires careful control due to its sensitivity to moisture and potential health risks.

In the field of electronics and semiconductors, thin films of titanium dioxide made from Tetra N-butyl Titanates are valued for their high dielectric constants, making them useful in capacitors, insulating layers, and other microelectronic devices. 
In photovoltaic technology, TiO₂ serves as an electron transport layer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), and the purity and uniformity of the film—often derived from this titanate—directly affect cell efficiency. 
Furthermore, Tetra N-butyl Titanate’s photocatalytic properties have led to the development of self-cleaning surfaces, water purification coatings, and air purification technologies.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate acts as a crosslinking agent or adhesion promoter in surface treatments for metals, glass, and ceramics. 
When incorporated into paints or varnishes, it can enhance the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and resistance to corrosion and abrasion of the final product. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate’s particularly useful in heat-resistant coatings for aerospace, automotive, and industrial machinery, where conventional organic polymers would degrade.

Melting point: -55 °C  
Boiling point: 206 °C/10 mmHg (lit.)  
Density: 1.00 g/mL at 20 °C (lit.)  
Vapor pressure: 5.6 hPa (20 °C)  
Refractive index: n20/D 1.491 (lit.)  
Flash point: 55 °F  
Storage temp.: Store at +2 °C to +8 °C  
Solubility: Miscible with aliphatic, aromatic, chlorinated and oxygenated solvents  
Form: Liquid  
Specific Gravity: 0.998  
Color: Pale yellow  
Explosive limit: 2.0–12.0% (V)  
Water Solubility: RAPIDLY HYDROLYZED  
Sensitive: Moisture Sensitive  
Hydrolytic Sensitivity: 7: reacts slowly with moisture/water  
BRN: 4148236  
Stability: Stable, but moisture sensitive. Flammable. Incompatible with water, moisture, strong oxidizing agents, strong acids  
InChIKey: YHWCPXVTRSHPNY-UHFFFAOYSA-N  
LogP: 0.84 at 25 °C  

Tetra N-butyl Titanate must be stored in airtight containers under an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon, and kept away from moisture, acidic materials, and strong oxidizing agents. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is often shipped in metal or glass containers that are sealed against humidity and labeled as flammable and moisture-sensitive according to GHS regulations.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a highly valuable chemical used in advanced material production, particularly for creating titanium-based structures and functional surfaces. 

Despite its usefulness, it requires careful storage and handling due to its reactive nature and potential health risks, which is why it is generally handled by trained personnel in industrial or research settings.
Like most titanium alkoxides (exception: titanium isopropoxide), Ti(OBu)4 is not a monomer but exists as a cluster (see titanium ethoxide). 
Nonetheless it is often depicted as a simple monomer.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is produced by treating titanium tetrachloride with butanol: TiCl4 + 4 HOBu → Ti(OBu)4 + 4 HCl
The reaction requires base to proceed to completion.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate, also known as titanium(IV) butoxide, is a metal-organic compound that plays a central role in modern material science and surface engineering due to its dual characteristics as both a titanium source and a reactive alkoxide. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is structurally composed of a titanium atom bound to four n-butoxide groups, forming a tetrahedral geometry that is typical for many titanium(IV) coordination complexes. 
Its molecular structure allows it to participate in controlled hydrolysis and condensation reactions, making it exceptionally well-suited for applications where precise control over titanium oxide formation is critical.
When used in sol-gel chemistry, Tetra N-butyl Titanate is first dissolved in a solvent (often an alcohol), then exposed to a small amount of water under carefully controlled conditions. 

The water slowly reacts with the butoxide groups, replacing them with hydroxide groups in a process called hydrolysis. 
These hydroxide groups then link together through condensation reactions, gradually forming a three-dimensional titanium-oxygen network that eventually hardens into a gel. 
Upon drying and heating, this gel transforms into solid titanium dioxide (TiO₂) with applications in electronics, optics, pigments, and catalysis.

Organometallics are strongly reactive with many other groups. 
Incompatible with acids and bases. Organometallics are good reducing agents and therefore incompatible with oxidizing agents. 
Often reactive with water to generate toxic or flammable gases.

Often react on contact with tissues to give toxic products.
Like other titanium alkoxides, titanium butoxide exchanges alkoxide groups: Ti(OBu)4 + HOR → Ti(OBu)3(OR) + HOBu, Ti(OBu)3(OR) + HOR → Ti(OBu)2(OR)2 + HOBu etc. 
For this reason, Tetra N-butyl Titanate is not compatible with alcohol solvents.

Analogous to the alkoxide exchange, Tetra N-butyl Titanate hydrolyzes readily. 
The reaction details are complex, but the overall process can be summarized with this balanced equation.
Ti(OBu)4 + 2 H2O → TiO2 + 4 HOBu

Diverse oxo-alkoxo intermediates have been trapped and characterized.[8] Pyrolysis also affords the dioxide: Ti(OBu)4 → TiO2 + 2 Bu2O
Titanium butoxide reacts with alkylcyclosiloxanes. With ocatamethylcyclotetrasiloxane it produces dibutoxydimethylsilane, 1,5-dibutoxyhexamethyltrisiloxane, 1,7 dibutoxyoctamethyltetrasiloxane, 1,3-dibutoxytetramethyldisiloxane and polymers. With hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane it also produces dibutoxydimethylsilane.

In organic synthesis, Tetra N-butyl Titanate serves as a Lewis acid catalyst, facilitating key reactions such as esterifications and transesterifications, including the industrial-scale production of biodiesel. 
In these processes, tetra-n-butyl titanate accelerates the reaction between fatty acids or triglycerides and alcohols, reducing energy requirements and improving reaction efficiency. 
Its utility in fine chemical synthesis has also been explored, especially in forming complex esters, lactones, and cyclic intermediates.

However, despite its usefulness, the chemical must be treated with great caution. Its extreme sensitivity to moisture means that even ambient humidity can trigger hydrolysis, leading to uncontrolled reactions and the formation of flammable butanol. 
If improperly handled, this exothermic reaction can produce enough heat to ignite vapors or damage equipment. 
For this reason, chemists and engineers working with Tetra N-butyl Titanate must use gloveboxes or dry atmospheres and strictly avoid contact with water or acidic environments.

Environmental and occupational health authorities classify Tetra N-butyl Titanate as hazardous under various global standards. It is typically labeled with GHS symbols such as the flammable and irritant pictograms, and safety data sheets (SDS) recommend the use of gloves, goggles, face shields, and fume hoods when handling the liquid. 
Accidental spills must be treated immediately with non-water-based absorbents, and waste must be collected and disposed of in accordance with hazardous waste regulations due to its potential for environmental harm.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is also used in nanotechnology. By controlling its reaction conditions—such as pH, solvent type, and temperature—researchers can tailor the size, shape, and crystalline phase of TiO₂ nanoparticles. 
These engineered nanoparticles are used in UV-blocking agents, antibacterial coatings, solar absorbers, and even cancer research, where titanium-based nanocarriers are being investigated for targeted drug delivery.

Uses Of Tetra N-butyl Titanate:
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the preparation of nanosized titania powders in the anatase form and ferroelectric bismuth titanate thin films. 
It is also used as intermediates, paint additives, coating additives, processing aids and as process regulators. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is involved in the preparation of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide powders at room temperature.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a sourcing material for the preparation of titanium oxide (TiO2) which can further be used in a variety of applications such as dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs), photo-catalytic and self-cleaning based coatings.
Ester exchange reactions; heat-resistant paints (up to 500C); improving adhesion of paints, rubber, and plastics to metal surfaces; cross-linking agent; condensation catalyst.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is often used to prepare titanium oxide materials and catalysts.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the preparation of nanosized Titanium dioxide in the anatase form and ferroelectric bismuth titanate thin films. 
It is most commonly used to prepare nanocrystalline TiO2 at room temperature. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate has applications as intermediates, paint & coating additives, processing aids and as process regulators. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate also has applications in Catalysi, Esterification, Trans-esterification reaction & Polymerisation of Epoxies, Phenolics and Silicons as well in cross-linking.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following products: coating products and adhesives and sealants.

Other release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanate is likely to occur from: indoor use as processing aid, outdoor use as processing aid and outdoor use in close systems with minimal release (e.g. hydraulic liquids in automotive suspension, lubricants in motor oil and break fluids).
Release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanate can occur from industrial use: industrial abrasion processing with low release rate (e.g. cutting of textile, cutting, machining or grinding of metal) and of articles where the substances are not intended to be released and where the conditions of use do not promote release.

Other release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanate is likely to occur from: indoor use in long-life materials with low release rate (e.g. flooring, furniture, toys, construction materials, curtains, foot-wear, leather products, paper and cardboard products, electronic equipment).
Tetra N-butyl Titanate can be found in complex articles, with no release intended: vehicles and machinery, mechanical appliances and electrical/electronic products (e.g. computers, cameras, lamps, refrigerators, washing machines).

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following products: adhesives and sealants, coating products, pH regulators and water treatment products and laboratory chemicals.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following areas: health services, scientific research and development and formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging.
Other release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanate is likely to occur from: indoor use (e.g. machine wash liquids/detergents, automotive care products, paints and coating or adhesives, fragrances and air fresheners) and outdoor use as processing aid.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following products: coating products, adhesives and sealants and lubricants and greases.
Release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanatecan occur from industrial use: formulation of mixtures.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following products: coating products, polymers, adhesives and sealants, fuels and lubricants and greases.

Tetra N-butyl Titanate has an industrial use resulting in manufacture of another substance (use of intermediates).
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used in the following areas: formulation of mixtures and/or re-packaging, health services and scientific research and development.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is used for the manufacture of: chemicals, plastic products, metals and.

Release to the environment of Tetra N-butyl Titanate can occur from industrial use: in processing aids at industrial sites, as processing aid and as an intermediate step in further manufacturing of another substance (use of intermediates).
Tetra-n-butyl titanate is sometimes added to polymeric materials to enhance their thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. 

In this context, it can function as a coupling agent that promotes adhesion between inorganic fillers (such as silica or metal oxides) and organic matrices (like epoxy resins or polyurethanes). 
This leads to improved performance in sealants, adhesives, elastomers, and composite materials, especially those used in harsh environments. 
Additionally, it can act as a stabilizer or curing agent in certain specialty resins that are exposed to heat, UV light, or moisture.

One of the most important and widespread uses of Tetra N-butyl Titanate is in sol-gel processing, a method for producing high-purity and precisely structured metal oxides, especially titanium dioxide (TiO₂). 
In this process, tetra-n-butyl titanate is hydrolyzed under carefully controlled conditions, usually involving alcohol solvents and water, to form a gel-like network of titanium-oxygen bonds. 
This gel can then be dried and calcined (heated) to produce solid TiO₂ structures in various forms such as powders, thin films, fibers, or monoliths. 

These materials are essential in electronics, optics, photocatalysis, and nanotechnology, where precise control over particle size, shape, and crystallinity is crucial. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is widely used in research and industrial laboratories to create coatings, membranes, and porous structures for sensors, membranes, or catalysts.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is also widely used in the formulation of specialty coatings and adhesion-promoting agents, particularly in cases where enhanced durability, chemical resistance, and thermal stability are needed. 

When applied to surfaces such as metals, ceramics, or glass, this compound can act as a crosslinker or surface modifier, forming a strong bond between the surface and the coating layer. 
In high-performance paints and varnishes, it improves mechanical properties like scratch resistance and hardness, and it contributes to weathering resistance by reinforcing the polymer matrix. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is especially useful in heat-resistant coatings for automotive, aerospace, and industrial equipment, where conventional organic binders might fail under high temperatures or corrosive environments.

In the field of organic chemistry and chemical manufacturing, Tetra N-butyl Titanate acts as a Lewis acid catalyst and is often used to accelerate esterification and transesterification reactions. 
This makes it valuable in the synthesis of a wide range of compounds, including esters, lactones, and polyesters, particularly when high selectivity and mild reaction conditions are required. 

One of its key commercial applications is in the production of biodiesel, where it catalyzes the reaction between vegetable oils or animal fats and alcohols (typically methanol or ethanol) to produce methyl or ethyl esters of fatty acids, which are the main components of biodiesel fuel. 
Compared to traditional acid or base catalysts, tetra-n-butyl titanate can offer advantages such as lower energy consumption, faster reaction rates, and cleaner byproducts.

Because of its well-defined molecular structure and ease of hydrolysis, tetra-n-butyl titanate is commonly used as a precursor for synthesizing titanium-based nanoparticles, especially TiO₂ nanoparticles, which are widely used in sunscreens, photocatalysts, environmental remediation, and nanomedicine. 
By adjusting synthesis parameters such as solvent, temperature, pH, and hydrolysis rate, researchers can fine-tune the size, morphology, and crystalline phase (e.g., anatase or rutile) of the resulting nanoparticles. 
These nanoparticles have wide-ranging functions, such as providing UV protection in cosmetics, acting as antibacterial agents in coatings, and serving as semiconductors in photovoltaic cells and photocatalytic water-splitting systems.

Safety Profile:
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a highly reactive compound, particularly sensitive to moisture and hydrolyzes violently upon contact with water or even humid air. 
This hydrolysis reaction is exothermic and produces n-butanol (a flammable alcohol) along with titanium dioxide or hydrated titanium oxides. 
The heat released during this reaction can be intense enough to ignite flammable vapors, especially in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. 

This reactivity makes it dangerous to use near water sources, wet surfaces, or in high-humidity environments, and it must be handled only in dry, inert atmospheres—typically under nitrogen or argon—to prevent accidental decomposition.
Although the compound itself is not highly volatile, its decomposition products—especially n-butanol—are flammable and can create explosive mixtures with air under certain conditions. 
The vapors may travel along surfaces to ignition sources located at a distance and flash back, causing fires or explosions. 

The use of open flames, sparks, or static discharge near tetra-n-butyl titanate is strictly prohibited, and it should always be handled in flame-proof fume hoods or explosion-safe environments. 
Additionally, the liquid may burn with an invisible flame, making it more hazardous in dimly lit conditions.
A poison by intravenous route moderately toxic by ingestion. 

Flammable when exposed to heat or flame to fight fire, use water, spray, foam, dry chemical incompatible with oxidizing materials. 
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid and irritating fumes.
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is a corrosive, flammable liquid which reacts violently with oxidizing materials. 

Tetra N-butyl Titanate is incompatible with sulfuric and nitric acids, inorganic hydroxides and peroxides, bases, amines, amides, isocyanates and boranes. 
Tetra N-butyl Titanate is irritating to skin and eyes, and causes nausea and vomiting if swallowed. 
When heated it emits irritating fumes, which form explosive mixtures with air at concentrations above 2 vol%.