Ti(IV) bis-acetylacetonate diisopropoxide; orange-yellow viscous liquid; chelated; hydrolytically stable.

TET — diisopropoxy-bis(2,4-pentanedionato) titanium, CAS 17927-72-9 — is a chelated titanium(IV) compound formed by replacing two of the four isopropoxy ligands of titanium tetraisopropoxide (TPT, Ti(OiPr)₄) with bidentate acetylacetonate (acac) ligands. Molecular formula C₁₆H₂₈O₆Ti, molecular weight 364.3 g/mol (anhydrous compound). The bidentate chelation is what differentiates TET — each acac group forms a 6-membered Ti-O-C-C-C-O chelate ring that locks the Ti centre against hydrolysis far more effectively than monodentate alkoxide ligands. SEMITECH supplies TET as 75% by weight solution in isopropanol; the dilution is needed to keep viscosity manageable (the neat compound is a gel-like solid at room temperature) and to provide a ready-to-dose form for waterborne and 1K coating systems.

The Tyzor AA / Tyzor GBA grades are the original DuPont/Dorf-Ketal commercial-name reference; SEMITECH TET is functionally equivalent on a Ti-content and chelation-stoichiometry basis. CoA verification: TiO₂ assay 8.4–8.6% (in 75% IPA solution; equivalent to 11.0–11.5% in dry compound), water content ≤1.0% in IPA solution (TET tolerates higher residual moisture than TBT thanks to the chelation), APHA colour 200–500 (the orange-yellow chromophore is from acac ligand-to-metal charge transfer, expected and not a defect indicator). The compound is fully soluble in IPA, n-butanol, MEK, toluene, esters; partially miscible with water (the IPA solution may be diluted with water in some 2K coating formulations to control crosslinker pre-reactivity).

Two acac chelates suppress Ti hydrolysis; thermal or pH-shift dissociation releases active Ti(IV); slow-release for 1K systems.

TET is fundamentally a “latent” or “blocked” titanate: at room temperature in a 1K coating or RTV formulation, the chelated acac ligands resist hydrolysis and the catalyst sits dormant — extending pot-life and shelf life from hours (with bare TBT) to weeks or months. Activation occurs via three mechanisms: (1) thermal — heating above 80–100°C dissociates one acac ligand, exposing the active Ti(IV) Lewis acid; (2) pH-shift — acid catalysis by atmospheric CO₂ + moisture in waterborne paint film during dry-down protonates the acac ligand, dissociating it and releasing active Ti; (3) ligand exchange — primary or secondary amines and certain hydroxyl-containing species displace acac in equilibrium, slowly releasing active Ti.

• Loading 0.5–2.0% — waterborne 1K acrylic and alkyd paints; salt-spray uplift
• Loading 1.0–3.0% — 1K RTV silicone with extended shelf life
• Loading 0.3–1.0% — flexographic and rotogravure ink crosslinker
• Loading 1.0–2.5% — high-build epoxy primer for marine and industrial coatings

Once activated, TET catalyses the same dealcoholisation cure as TBT — silanol + alkoxysilane condensation with alcohol byproduct, hydroxy-resin + isocyanate or melamine crosslinking, ester transesterification. The cure profile is slower than TBT at the same Ti content (chelation is reversible but slow), but the formulation can sit on a paint store shelf for 12+ months without catalyst hydrolysis — a property bare TBT cannot match.

Waterborne paints (largest), 1K RTV silicone, flexographic ink crosslinker, anti-corrosive primer, paper sizing.

Waterborne paint adhesion promoter and crosslinker is the largest single application — 1K acrylic and alkyd metal primers, automotive refinish basecoats, and architectural coatings on metal substrates use TET at 0.5–2.0% on resin solids. The chelation prevents premature hydrolysis in the aqueous formulation (pot-life shifts from hours to 6+ months), but acid-induced dissociation during paint dry-down releases active Ti for crosslinking. Salt-spray performance on cold-rolled steel typically improves from 240 hours (no titanate) to 500–800 hours with TET at 1.0–1.5% — a meaningful uplift in a marketplace where 500-hour ratings command 20–30% pricing premium.

One-component (1K) RTV silicone with extended shelf life uses TET at 1.0–2.5% paired with alkoxysilane crosslinker. The blocked-catalyst chemistry allows the silicone to sit in a sealed cartridge for 12–18 months without skin formation, then cure by atmospheric moisture once dispensed. Compared to bare TBT (which would hydrolyse in cartridge within 2–4 weeks), TET-catalysed 1K RTV is the only practical chemistry for cartridge-packaged neutral-cure silicone sealants where retail shelf life of a year or more is required. Flexographic and rotogravure ink crosslinker uses TET at 0.3–1.0% on resin solids in solvent-borne and waterborne ink formulations to crosslink hydroxy- and amino-functional binders during 80–120°C drying ovens — providing rub resistance, water resistance, and improved adhesion to plastic substrates.

Anti-corrosive primer formulations — high-build epoxy mastics for marine deck paint, hot-dip galvanised steel structural primer, zinc-rich epoxy for offshore coatings — use TET at 1.0–2.5% as a network-strengthening crosslinker that improves long-term salt-spray and UV-weathering performance. Paper sizing and surface treatment uses dilute TET solutions to crosslink starch and polyvinyl alcohol coatings on packaging paperboard, improving stiffness and water resistance.

CoA per shipment; 25 kg HDPE; 12-month sealed shelf life; tolerates ambient humidity unlike bare TBT.

SEMITECH issues a CoA on every batch with: TiO₂ assay (gravimetric, target 8.4–8.6% in 75% IPA solution), water content (Karl Fischer, target ≤1.0%), APHA colour (target 200–500), density at 20°C, and viscosity at 25°C. Standard packing is 25 kg HDPE jerrycans; 200 kg lined steel drums for bulk waterborne paint plants. MOQ 25 kg per grade. Lead time 2–4 weeks ex-Zhejiang to Asia ports, 4–6 weeks to Europe and North America.

Storage discipline is far less critical than for bare TBT — the chelation provides 10–100× longer hydrolytic stability. Recommended: store sealed below 30°C (the IPA solvent has flash point ~22°C; flammable storage class), in original containers; ambient moisture exposure during routine handling is acceptable. Shelf life 12 months sealed; opened drums consumable within 6 months without significant catalyst-activity loss (vs 30 days for bare TBT). REACH and regulatory: TET / titanium acetylacetonate is REACH-registered; the acac ligand is FDA 21 CFR 175.300 listed for indirect food-contact crosslinker applications (paper sizing, coating), making TET the preferred titanate for food-contact paper coating. Standard SDS in EU/GHS format issued with every shipment. Hazards: TET in IPA solution is flammable (flash point 22°C from IPA solvent); mild skin and eye irritant; less reactive with water than bare TBT. Handle with nitrile gloves, splash goggles, lab coat; store in flammable-storage cabinet; ground all transfer equipment.

TET is the chelated titanate — the standard catalyst for waterborne paints, 1K RTV silicone, and ink crosslinker formulations where bare TBT would hydrolyse prematurely. Chelation extends shelf life from days to 12+ months. Use at 0.5–2.5% loading; activates by heat or paint-film acidification during dry-down. Tolerates ambient humidity unlike bare TBT.

SEMITECH stocked grade; CoA per batch.