Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026

Synthesis and Reaction Chemistry of Nanosize Monosodium Titanate
Published on: February 23, 2016
Oxidation of Titanocene(III): The Deceptive Simplicity of a Color Change
Darien Yeung1, Johanne Penafiel1, Harmen S Zijlstra1
1Department of Chemistry, University of Victoria , PO Box 1700 STN CSC, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada.
Abstract:
Reduction of red Cp2TiCl2 (Cp = cyclopentadienyl) with zinc dust in acetonitrile produces a blue solution of [Cp2Ti(NCMe)2]+, which when exposed to air rapidly discolors to bright yellow. This behavior makes the blue solution a handy visual indicator for the presence of oxygen, but the chemistry is considerably more complicated than the primary colors suggest at first glance. Real-time mass spectrometric and colorimetric analysis reveals that oxidation from Ti(III) to Ti(IV) produces a host of oxygen-containing complexes, whose appearance parallels the observed color changes.
Related Concept Videos
Redox Titration: Other Oxidizing and Reducing Agents
Properties of Transition Metals
Oxidation of Alkenes: Syn Dihydroxylation with Osmium Tetraoxide
Complexometric Titration: Overview
Redox Titration: Overview
Reactions at the Benzylic Position: Oxidation and Reduction

