99% Tetrabutyl titanate 5593-70-4 TNBT

What is Tetrabutyl Titanate?

Tetrabutyl Titanate, also known as tetrabutyl titanate, n-butyl titanate, or butyl titanate (abbreviated as TBT or TNBT), is a n-butanol ester compound of titanium, belonging to organotitanium compounds. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

Ti(OC4H9)4 (C16H36O4Ti, CAS No.: 5593-70-4, molecular weight approximately 340.32)

At room temperature, it is a colorless to pale yellow transparent liquid with a faint alcoholic odor. Below -55°C, it is a glassy solid with a density of approximately 0.97~1.00 g/cm³, a boiling point of approximately 310~314°C, a flash point of approximately 76.7°C, and a refractive index of 1.486. Tetrabutyl titanate is soluble in alcohols, ethers, benzene, and most organic solvents, including aliphatic, aromatic, and chlorinated solvents. It is insoluble in water, rapidly hydrolyzes upon contact with water, and is hygroscopic.

From a molecular structure perspective, tetrabutyl titanate consists of one titanium atom bonded to four n-butoxy groups (-OC4H9), classifying it as an organotitanium compound. The titanium center is a typical Lewis acid with high catalytic activity; its ability to hydrolyze to produce high-purity titanium dioxide makes it an ideal high-purity titanium source for preparing titanium dioxide thin films using processes such as sol-gel deposition, chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and atomic layer deposition (ALD). This dual function of "catalysis + high-purity titanium source" forms the structural basis for its widespread application in scientific research and electronic materials.

Chemically, tetrabutyl titanate is highly hydrolyzed and decomposes upon contact with water; therefore, the water content of the system must be strictly controlled. It is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents and strong acids, is irritating to skin and eyes, and is flammable. It must be stored in a sealed, moisture-proof, and light-protected environment, and used as soon as possible after opening.

Non-industrial grade tetrabutyl titanate refers to products intended for non-mass industrial applications such as scientific research and electronics, primarily including reagent-grade and electronic-grade (high-purity) specifications. Compared to industrial-grade products, non-industrial grade tetrabutyl titanate places greater emphasis on the following indicators:

Purity and metallic impurities

Electronic-grade materials generally have extremely low levels of metallic impurities, ensuring the performance of thin films and electronic devices.

Moisture

Tetrabutyl titanate is extremely sensitive to moisture; even trace amounts of water can cause hydrolysis and deterioration, making moisture the primary control indicator.

Color

The color should be light (colorless to pale yellow); a darker color often indicates hydrolysis or spoilage.

Free alcohol (n-butanol)

The content of free butanol affects the purity calculation and the quality of thin film preparation, and needs to be controlled at a low level.

What are the uses of trabutyl Titanate?

1. Esterification and esterification catalysts

Tetrabutyl titanate is a commonly used organic titanium reagent in the laboratory. It can be used as a catalyst for organic reactions such as esterification, transesterification, and condensation. It is widely used in the synthesis of fine chemicals such as ester plasticizers, acetates, and benzoates. It is also used in the synthesis of polyester materials such as PBT/PTMG polyether esters (often in combination with magnesium acetate). It has high catalytic activity and mild reaction.

2. High-purity electronic materials (electronic grade)

High-purity tetrabutyl titanate is an important precursor for preparing high-quality titanium dioxide thin films using processes such as chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). It can be used to fabricate electronic devices such as thin-film transistors and optical thin films, and is a key high-purity raw material in the semiconductor and optoelectronic fields.

3. Sol-gel method and functional coating research (research-grade)

TBT is one of the most commonly used precursors in the sol-gel method. Through hydrolysis and condensation, it can be used to prepare functional materials such as nano-titanium dioxide, photocatalytic materials, and superhydrophilic/self-cleaning coatings, which are widely used in cutting-edge research in catalysis, environmental protection, optics and other fields.

4. Glass Coating and Optical Applications

Tetrabutyl titanate can be used to prepare titanium dioxide functional thin films on glass substrates, giving the glass properties such as wear resistance, anti-fogging, and self-cleaning, and can be applied to the processing of optical devices and special glasses.

5. Polyester polycondensation catalyst

Tetrabutyl titanate is an important catalyst for the polycondensation of polyesters (PET, PBT). It can replace antimony-based catalysts in the production of food-grade PET. It is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, and highly active, making it an important choice for the greening of the polyester industry . Titanium-based catalysts may be used in the production chain of PET products such as mineral water bottles, beverage bottles, and food packaging.

6. Titanate coupling agent raw materials

Tetrabutyl titanate is the basic raw material for synthesizing titanate coupling agents. One end of the coupling agent can react with the surface of inorganic fillers (calcium carbonate, talc, glass fiber, etc.), while the other end is compatible with organic polymers. It significantly improves the interfacial bonding and dispersibility of fillers and resins in plastics, rubber, and coatings, and also has multiple functions such as dispersion, wetting, and adhesion.

7. Crosslinking agents and adhesion promoters

TBT can undergo cross-linking reactions with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in polymers and carbohydrates, and can be used as a high-efficiency cross-linking agent for carboxyl-containing emulsions, a curing and cross-linking component for coatings, inks, adhesives and RTV silicone sealants, and improve the adhesion of coatings to substrates such as metals and glass.

8. Polyester clothing and textile products

Polyester (polyester fiber) is the most widely used synthetic fiber, and its polymerization process may use tetrabutyl titanate as a polycondensation catalyst. Many of the garments we wear have raw material chains related to tetrabutyl titanate.

9. Coatings, inks and adhesives

Tetrabutyl titanate is used as a crosslinking agent and adhesion promoter in coatings, inks, adhesives and RTV silicone sealants. It may be involved in the formulation of home decoration coatings, automotive paints and household adhesives.

It should be noted that non-industrial grade does not mean "risk-free": Tetrabutyl titanate is irritating to the skin and eyes. When using reagent-grade products in experiments, laboratory safety regulations should be followed, protective equipment should be worn, skin contact should be avoided, and the products should be strictly waterproofed, moisture-proofed, and kept away from fire sources.

Summarize

Tetrabutyl Titanate (TBT) is a colorless to pale yellow organic titanium liquid with high activity and easy hydrolysis. It serves as both a highly efficient catalyst and an ideal source of high-purity titanium. In daily life, we indirectly come into contact with it through PET bottles and plastic packaging, polyester clothing, paints, inks, adhesives, modified plastic products, glass coatings, and consumer electronics. In non-industrial applications, reagent-grade and electronic-grade tetrabutyl titanate are widely used in scientific research and laboratories, CVD/ALD high-purity electronic materials, sol-gel functional coating research, glass coatings, and the synthesis of fine chemicals. It is an important organic titanium chemical bridging "daily use" and "scientific research and electronics."