At room temperature the reaction Cu( s) + TiCl 4( l) = CuTiCl 4( s) takes place, for which the presence of oxygen is necessary. The CdCl 2 structure, but with a larger unit cell containing 6 CuTiCl 4, is proposed for this compound. Both metals are octahedrally co-ordinated to chlorine, and the oxidation states Cu(I) and Ti(III) are inferred. On heating it decomposes, CuTiCl 4( s) = Cu( s) + TiCl 4( g) and, in general, behaves as an equi-molar mixture, CuCl + TiCl 3. Silver reacts with titanium tetrachloride at room temperature, Ag( s) + TiCl 4( l) = AgCl( s) + TiCl 3( s), oxygen having no effect. This reaction is reversed by heating these products.
Read full abstract