Ti(0) nanoparticles via lithium-naphthalenide-driven reduction

Chem Commun (Camb). 2016 May 7;52(37):6316-9. doi: 10.1039/c6cc01957a. Epub 2016 Apr 18.

Abstract

Metallic titanium (Ti(0)) nanoparticles, 1.5 ± 0.4 nm in diameter, are obtained via lithium naphthalenide ([LiNaph])-driven reduction of TiCl4× 2THF in tetrahydrofuran (THF). HRTEM, fast Fourier transformation (FFT), optical spectra and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) confirm their chemical composition. Besides their pyrophoric properties, their high reactivity is validated by direct transformation of Ti(0) into TiC maintaining the size.