Abstract
Stepwise replacement of alkyl groups of ethyl and isopropyl titanates by acyl groups of lactic, mandelic, and salicylic acids has been investigated by taking the reactants in predetermined stoichiometric proportions and causing them to react in refluxing benzene. The number of alkyl groups replaced was determined by estimating the alcohol liberated in the reaction and by analysing the reaction product. When the alkyl titanates are acted upon by 2 moles of these acids, salicylic acid liberates 4 moles of alcohol (per mole alkyl titanate) whereas remaining two acids displace only 3 or 3.5 moles of alcohol. Thus di‐lactate and mandelate derivatives appear to withhold very firmly the remaining alkoxy group. However, with 3 moles (or higher proportions) of these acids, alkyl titanates yield, in every case, an equimolecular mixture of di‐ and tri‐acylates.
The lactate and mandelate products are white solids, but the salicylates are orange or deep red in colour. Mono‐lactate, salicylate and mandelate derivatives are soluble in benzene, whereas the equimolecular mixture of di‐ and tri‐lactate dissolves in water without precipitation of titanium hydroxide.