Titanium tetrachloride

Titanium tetrachloride (CAS 7550-45-0), commonly referenced as TiCl4, is a high-purity inorganic compound used primarily as a catalyst precursor and chemical intermediate across several industrial sectors. Its reactivity with moisture and oxygen makes it a critical building block for producing titanium-based compounds at scale. In polyolefin manufacturing, TiCl4 is a core component in Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems.

These systems are used to produce polypropylene and polyethylene, directly influencing polymer stereoregularity and molecular weight distribution. Textile and paper processors use it as a surface treatment agent. This application improves mordanting, fiber adhesion, and coating receptivity. In pharmaceutical synthesis, it functions as a Lewis acid catalyst enabling stereoselective reactions and chiral intermediate production.

Personal care and cosmetics manufacturers use TiCl4 as a precursor to synthetic titanium dioxide pigments. These pigments are applied in sunscreens, foundations, and various opacifying formulations. Titanium tetrachloride is supplied as a fuming liquid, typically in stabilized, moisture-protected packaging such as sealed drums or ISO containers. It is available in technical and high-purity catalyst grades.

Specifications are tailored to polymerization catalyst production or chemical synthesis requirements. Buyers should confirm purity thresholds and metal impurity limits based on end-use sensitivity. This is particularly important for pharmaceutical or catalyst applications where strict quality control is required. Proper handling protocols must be maintained to ensure the stability of the chemical compound.