Question

TiCl₄ reacts with thf (C₄H₈O) to afford TiCl₄(thf)₂ which in contrast to TiCl₄ reacts only slowly with water. Why is this?

Answer 1

THF is a weak Lewis base and it can form complexes with transition metal halides. These complexes can be used as reagents in organic chemistry.

THF has low viscosity when compare with water. THF has 0.48 cP at 25 degrees C where as water has 0.91 cP at 25 degrees C. So viscosity of THF is almost half of the viscosity of water. Because of low viscosity TiCl4 molecules can move faster in THF solvent and reacts easily when compare iwth water.

Water has high viscosity than THF. Hence TiCl4 reacts only slowly with water.