Expert: Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr. - 6/5/2006

Question
I was wondering what the titanium solution would be called after going through the following reactions below:
Titanium sulfate. Heat 500 mLs conc. sulfuric acid to 180 deg-F (in a vacuum hood). Add 20 gms TiSO4 - 8H2O very slowly while stirring - CAUTION: H2SO4 will splatter when TiSO4 is added. After the TiSO4 has dissolved in the acid, allow the solution to cool overnight. Slowly add the TiSO4 / H2SO4 solution to 3000 mLs of DI water that is immersed in an ice bath. Allow to cool. (TiSO4 - 8H2O may be obtained from GFS Chemical Co., P.O. 23214, Columbus OH 43223).
    I would like to order the chemical that results from these alterations to utilize in the rest of my procedure.  Can you help me?  

Answer
The best information I can find is that it is a Ti(IV) oxysulfate complex.  None of the references actually discuss a structure and it may be one of those reagents that unless you go back to the 1930s literature, you just have to except that it works.  It forms on reaction with peroxide, a Ti(IV)peroxo(SO4)2 complex which gives the yellow color. Note that even the term titanium sulfate is a misnomer since it really is TiO(SO4) on average as a mixture.  As far as I can tell, the titanium reagent has to be made fresh in the lab.  I suspect it has a short shelf life.  If you are looking to measure peroxide there are other ways including test strips you can buy.  Also be aware, titanium solutions are very toxic and I would find an alernative if it were me.

http://www.ehs.berkeley.edu/pubs/guidelines/pecguidelines.html

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