Conversion of titanium oxide into titanium chloride

The ore rutile (impure titanium(IV) oxide) is heated with chlorine and coke at a temperature of about 900°C.

Other metal chlorides are formed as well because of other metal compounds in the ore. Very pure liquid titanium(IV) chloride can be separated from the other chlorides by fractional distillation under an argon or nitrogen atmosphere. Titanium(IV) chloride reacts violently with water. Handling it therefore needs care and is stored in totally dry tanks.