An organometallic synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles.

We report the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles that uses the low-temperature reaction of low-valent organometallic precursors. Bis(cyclooctatetraene)titanium reacts with dimethyl sulfoxide in organic solution at temperatures as low as room temperature to produce TiO2. In the absence of any supporting ligand, the reaction gives precipitation of amorphous TiO2 powder; however, in the presence of basic ligands such as tributylphosphine, tributylphosphine oxide and trioctylphosphine oxide, the precipitation is arrested, and chemically distinct, isolated, internally crystalline TiO2 nanoparticles are formed.