22
Ti
Titanium
Atomic Mass 47.867
Electron Configuration [Ar]4s23d2
Oxidation States +4, +3, +2
Year Discovered 1791

Identifiers

Element Name Titanium
Element Symbol Ti
InChI InChI=1S/Ti
InChIKey RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N

Properties

Atomic Weight

47.867(1)

47.867

47.88

47.867(1)

Electron Configuration

[Ar]4s23d2

Atomic Radius

Van der Waals Atomic Radius : 187 pm (Van der Waals)

Empirical Atomic Radius : 140pm (Empirical)

Covalent Atomic Radius : 160(8) pm (Covalent)

Oxidation States

+4, +3, +2

4, 3, 2, 1, -1, -2 ​(an amphoteric oxide)

Ground Level

3F2

Ionization Energy

6.828 eV

6.828120 ± 0.000012 eV

Electronegativity

Pauling Scale Electronegativity : 1.54(Pauling Scale)

Allen Scale Electronegativity : 1.38(Allen Scale)

Electron Affinity

0.079eV

-0.02eV

Atomic Spectra

Lines Holdings

Levels Holdings

Physical Description

Solid

Element Classification

Metal

Element Period Number

4

Element Group Number

4

Density

4.5 grams per cubic centimeter

Melting Point

1941 K (1668°C or 3034°F)

1668°C

Boiling Point

3560 K (3287°C or 5949°F)

3287°C

Estimated Crustal Abundance

5.65×103 milligrams per kilogram

Estimated Oceanic Abundance

1×10-3 milligrams per liter

History

The name derives from the Latin titans, who were the mythological "first sons of the earth". It was originally discovered by the English clergyman William Gregor in the mineral ilmenite (FeTiO3) in 1791. He called this mineral menachanite and the element menachin, for the Menachan parish where it was found. It was rediscovered in 1795 by the German chemist Martin Heinrich Klaproth, who called it titanium because it had no characteristic properties to use as a name. Titanium metal was first isolated by the Swedish chemists Sven Otto Pettersson and Lars Fredrik Nilson.

Titanium was discovered in 1791 by the Reverend William Gregor, an English pastor. Pure titanium was first produced by Matthew A. Hunter, an American metallurgist, in 1910. Titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust and is primarily found in the minerals rutile (TiO2), ilmenite (FeTiO3) and sphene (CaTiSiO5). Titanium makes up about 0.57% of the earth's crust.

From the Latin titans, the first sons of the Earth, Greek mythology.

Discovered by Gregor in 1791; named by Klaproth in 1795. Impure titanium was prepared by Nilson and Pettersson in 1887; however, the pure metal (99.9%) was not made until 1910 when Hunter heated TiCl4 with sodium in a steel bomb.

Historical Atomic Weights

Year Atomic Weight (uncertainty) [u] Reference
1993 47.867(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199466122423
1979 47.88(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1969 47.90(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197021010091
1931 47.90 https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9310001617
1902 48.1 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01370337

Historical Isotopic Abundances

Year Isotope Abundance (uncertainty) Reference
1997 46Ti 0.0825(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199870010217
1997 47Ti 0.0744(2) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199870010217
1997 48Ti 0.7372(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199870010217
1997 49Ti 0.0541(2) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199870010217
1997 50Ti 0.0518(2) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199870010217
1981 46Ti 0.080(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355071119
1981 47Ti 0.073(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355071119
1981 48Ti 0.738(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355071119
1981 49Ti 0.055(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355071119
1981 50Ti 0.054(1) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198355071119
1979 46Ti 0.082(5) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1979 47Ti 0.074(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1979 48Ti 0.738(5) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1979 49Ti 0.054(2) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1979 50Ti 0.052(3) https://doi.org/10.1351/pac198052102349
1975 46Ti 0.08 https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197647010075
1975 47Ti 0.075 https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197647010075
1975 48Ti 0.737 https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197647010075
1975 49Ti 0.055 https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197647010075
1975 50Ti 0.053 https://doi.org/10.1351/pac197647010075

Description

Titanium, when pure, is a lustrous, white metal. It has a low density, good strength, is easily fabricated, and has excellent corrosion resistance. It is ductile only when it is free of oxygen. The metal, which burns in air, is the only element that burns in nitrogen.

Titanium is resistant to dilute sulfuric and hydrochloric acid, most organic acids, most chlorine gas, and chloride solutions.

Natural titanium is reported to become very radioactive after bombardment with deuterons. The emitted radiations are mostly positrons and hard gamma rays. The metal is dimorphic. The hexagonal alpha form changes to the cubic beta form very slowly at about 880°C. The metal combines with oxygen at red heat, and with chlorine at 550°C.

Titanium metal is considered to be physiologically inert. When pure, titanium dioxide is relatively clear and has an extremely high index of refraction with an optical dispersion higher than diamond.

Users

Titanium is a strong, light metal. It is as strong as steel and twice as strong as aluminum, but is 45% lighter than steel and only 60% heavier than aluminum. Titanium is not easily corroded by sea water and is used in propeller shafts, rigging and other parts of boats that are exposed to sea water. Titanium and titanium alloys are used in airplanes, missiles and rockets where strength, low weight and resistance to high temperatures are important. Since titanium does not react within the human body, it is used to create artificial hips, pins for setting bones and for other biological implants. Unfortunately, the high cost of titanium has limited its widespread use.

Titanium oxide (TiO2) is used as a pigment to create white paint and accounts for the largest use of the element. Pure titanium oxide is relatively clear and is used to create titania, an artificial gemstone. Titanium tetrachloride (TiCl4), another titanium compound, has been used to make smoke screens.

A final bit of titanium trivia titanium is one of the few elements that will burn in an atmosphere of pure nitrogen.

Titanium is important as an alloying agent with aluminum, molybdenum, manganese, iron, and other metals. Alloys of titanium are principally used for aircraft and missiles where lightweight strength and ability to withstand extremes of temperature are important.

Titanium is as strong as steel, but 45% lighter. It is 60% heavier than aluminum, but twice as strong.

Titanium has potential use in desalination plants for converting sea water into fresh water. The metal has excellent resistance to sea water and is used for propeller shafts, rigging, and other parts of ships exposed to salt water. A titanium anode coated with platinum has been used to provide cathodic protection from corrosion by salt water.

It is produced artificially for use as a gemstone, but it is relatively soft. Star sapphires and rubies exhibit their asterism as a result of the presence of TiO2.

Titanium dioxide is extensively used for both house paint and artist's paint, because it is permanent and has good covering power. Titanium oxide pigment accounts for the largest use of the element. Titanium paint is an excellent reflector of infrared, and is extensively used in solar observatories where heat causes poor viewing conditions.

Titanium tetrachloride is used to iridize glass. This compound fumes strongly in air and has been used to produce smoke screens.

Sources

Titanium is present in meteorites and the sun. Rocks obtained during the Apollo 17 lunar mission showed presence of 12.1% TiO2; rocks obtained during earlier Apollo missions show lower percentages.

Titanium oxide bands are prominent in the spectra of M-type stars. The element is the ninth most abundant in the crust of the earth. Titanium is almost always present in igneous rocks and in the sediments derived from them.

It occurs in the minerals rutile, ilmenite, and sphene, and is present in titanates and in many iron ores. Titanium is present in ash of coal, in plants, and in human body.

The metal was a laboratory curiosity until Kroll, in 1946, showed that titanium could be produced commercially by reducing titanium tetrachloride with magnesium. This method is still largely used for producing the metal. The metal can be purified by decomposing the iodide.

Compounds

See more information at the Titanium compound page.

Element Forms

CID Name Formula SMILES Molecular Weight
23963 titanium Ti [Ti] 47.867
114942 titanium(4+) Ti+4 [Ti+4] 47.867
167092 titanium-45 Ti [45Ti] 44.958121
167358 titanium-44 Ti [44Ti] 43.959690
177711 titanium(2+) Ti+2 [Ti+2] 47.867
5153393 titanium(3+) Ti+3 [Ti+3] 47.867
25087162 titanium-47 Ti [47Ti] 46.9517575
25087187 titanium-51 Ti [51Ti] 50.946609
10129886 titanium-52 Ti [52Ti] 51.94688
131708402 titanium-46 Ti [46Ti] 45.9526264
131708403 titanium-48 Ti [48Ti] 47.9479407
131708404 titanium-49 Ti [49Ti] 48.9478644
131708405 titanium-50 Ti [50Ti] 49.9447856

Isotopes

Stable Isotope Count 5
Summary Natural titanium consists of five isotopes with atomic masses from 46 to 50. All are stable. Eight other unstable isotopes are known.

Isotopes in Earth/Planetary Science

The isotope-amount ratio n(50Ti)/n(46Ti) is used to study the early history of the Solar System. The value of the ratio can help determine whether the Solar System was created from a well-homogenized source [197], [198]. For example, variations in titanium isotopic compositions of various groups of meteorites can be observed (Fig. IUPAC.22.1) [199].

Fig. IUPAC.22.1: Cross plot of the isotope-amount ratio n(⁵⁰Ti)/n(⁴⁷Ti) and the isotope-amount ratio n(⁴⁶Ti)/n(⁴⁷Ti) of selected groups of meteorites (modified from [199]), assuming measured n(⁵⁰Ti)/n(⁴⁷Ti) and n(⁴⁶Ti)/n(⁴⁷Ti) isotope-amount ratios of 0.697 19 and 1.109 18, respectively [200]. Normal titanium isotopic compositions were observed in standards, but ⁴⁶Ti and ⁵⁰Ti isotope anomalies were resolved among different meteorite groups.

[197] I. Leya, M. Schönbächler, U. Krähenbühl, A. N. Halliday. Astrophys. J.702, 1118 (2009).
[198] R. Courtland. Titanium Reveals Explosive Origins of the Solar System, New Scientist (2014), Feb. 25; http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16969-titanium-reveals-explosive-origins-of-the-solar-system.html.
[199] J. Zhang, N. Dauphas, A. M. Davis, A. Pourmand. J. Anal. At. Spectrom.26, 2197 (2011).
[200] M. Shima, N. Torigoye. Int. J. Mass Spectrom. Ion Processes123, 29 (1993).

Isotopes in Industry

The isotope-amount ratio n(48Ti)/n(49Ti) has been used in Isotope Ratio Method (IRM) analysis (initial titanium ratio/final titanium ratio) to estimate the energy production of nuclear reactors. This ratio can also be used to confirm that a reactor is being used for non-proliferation purposes (purposes other than to assist in the formation of nuclear weapon grade materials) [201].

[201] D. C. Gerlach, C. J. Gesh, D. E. Hurley, M. R. Mitchell, G. H. Meriwether, B. D. Reid. Final Report on Isotope Ratio Techniques for Light Water Reactors, PNNL-18573. U.S. Department of Energy (2009).

Isotope Mass and Abundance

Isotope Atomic Mass (uncertainty) [u] Abundance (uncertainty)
46Ti 45.952 627(1) 0.0825(3)
47Ti 46.951 7577(8) 0.0744(2)
48Ti 47.947 9409(8) 0.7372(3)
49Ti 48.947 8646(8) 0.0541(2)
50Ti 49.944 7858(8) 0.0518(2)
Isotope Atomic Mass (uncertainty) [u] Abundance (uncertainty)
46Ti 45.95262772(35) 0.0825(3)
47Ti 46.95175879(38) 0.0744(2)
48Ti 47.94794198(38) 0.7372(3)
49Ti 48.94786568(39) 0.0541(2)
50Ti 49.94478689(39) 0.0518(2)

Atomic Mass, Half Life, and Decay

Nuclide Atomic Mass and Uncertainty [u] Half Life and Uncertainty Discovery Year Decay Modes, Intensities and Uncertainties [%]
37Ti 37.027021 ± 0.000429 [Estimated] Not-specified p ?
38Ti 38.012206 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] Not-specified <120ns 2p ?
39Ti 39.002684 ± 0.000215 [Estimated] 28.5 ms ± 0.9 1990 β+=100%; β+p=93.7±2.8%; β+2p=?
40Ti 39.990345146 ± 0.000073262 52.4 ms ± 0.3 1982 β+=100%; β+p=95.8±1.3%
41Ti 40.983148000 ± 0.00003 81.9 ms ± 0.5 1964 β+=100%; β+p=91.1±0.6%
42Ti 41.973049369 ± 0.000000289 208.3 ms ± 0.4 1964 β+=100%
43Ti 42.968528420 ± 0.000006139 509 ms ± 5 1948 β+=100%; β+p ?
43Tim 42.968528420 ± 0.000006139 11.9 us ± 0.3 1978 IT=100%
43Tin 42.968528420 ± 0.000006139 556 ns ± 6 1978 IT=100%
44Ti 43.959689936 ± 0.000000751 59.1 y ± 0.3 1954 ε=100%
45Ti 44.958120758 ± 0.000000897 184.8 m ± 0.5 1941 β+=100%
45Tim 44.958120758 ± 0.000000897 3.0 us ± 0.2 2006 IT=100%
46Ti 45.952626356 ± 0.000000097 Stable 1934 IS=8.25±0.3%
47Ti 46.951757491 ± 0.000000085 Stable 1934 IS=7.44±0.2%
48Ti 47.947940677 ± 0.000000079 Stable 1923 IS=73.72±0.3%
49Ti 48.947864391 ± 0.000000084 Stable 1934 IS=5.41±0.2%
50Ti 49.944785622 ± 0.000000088 Stable 1934 IS=5.18±0.2%
51Ti 50.946609468 ± 0.000000519 5.76 m ± 0.01 1947 β-=100%
52Ti 51.946883509 ± 0.000002948 1.7 m ± 0.1 1966 β-=100%
53Ti 52.949670714 ± 0.0000031 32.7 s ± 0.9 1977 β-=100%
54Ti 53.950892000 ± 0.000017 2.1 s ± 1.0 1980 β-=100%
55Ti 54.955091000 ± 0.000031 1.3 s ± 0.1 1980 β-=100%; β-n ?
56Ti 55.957677675 ± 0.000107569 200 ms ± 5 1980 β-=100%; β-n ?
57Ti 56.963068098 ± 0.00022102 95 ms ± 8 1985 β-=100%; β-n ?
58Ti 57.966808519 ± 0.000196823 55 ms ± 6 1992 β-=100%; β-n ?
59Ti 58.972217 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] 28.5 ms ± 1.9 1997 β-=100%; β-n ?; β-2n ?
59Tim 58.972217 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] 615 ns ± 11 2012 IT=100%
60Ti 59.976275000 ± 0.000258 22.2 ms ± 1.6 1997 β-=100%; β-n ?; β-2n ?
61Ti 60.982426 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] 15 ms ± 4 1997 β-=100%; β-n ?; β-2n ?
61Tim 60.982426 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] 200 ns ± 28 2019 IT=100%
61Tin 60.982426 ± 0.000322 [Estimated] 354 ns ± 69 2019 IT=100%
62Ti 61.986903 ± 0.000429 [Estimated] 9 ms >620ns [Estimated] 2009 β- ?; β-n ?; β-2n ?
63Ti 62.993709 ± 0.000537 [Estimated] 10 ms >620ns [Estimated] 2009 β- ?; β-n ?; β-2n ?
64Ti 63.998411 ± 0.000644 [Estimated] 5 ms >620ns [Estimated] 2013 β- ?; β-n ?; β-2n ?
65Ti 65.005593 ± 0.000751 [Estimated] 1 ms [Estimated] β- ?; β-n ?; β-2n ?

Information Sources

  1. 1.  PubChem
  2. 2.  Atomic Mass Data Center (AMDC), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
  3. 3.  IUPAC Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (CIAAW)
  4. 4.  Jefferson Lab, U.S. Department of Energy
    LICENSE
    Please see citation and linking information https https://www.jlab.org/privacy-and-security-notice
  5. 5.  Los Alamos National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy
  6. 6.  NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory
  7. 7.  IUPAC Periodic Table of the Elements and Isotopes (IPTEI)
    LICENSE
    Copyright (c) 2020 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) contribution within Pubchem is provided under a CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license, unless otherwise stated.
    https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
  8. 8.  PubChem Elements
    Titanium

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