Final answer:
Titanium is extracted from its oxide through a process involving the reaction of titanium oxide with carbon and chlorine to form titanium tetrachloride, which is then reduced with molten magnesium to produce metallic titanium.
Step-by-step explanation:
Titanium is extracted from its oxide using a method known as the Kroll process. Even though titanium is the ninth most abundant element in the Earth's crust, it is difficult to extract due to its strong affinity for oxygen.
In the first phase of the extraction process, titanium oxide (TiO₂) is reacted with carbon and chlorine to produce titanium tetrachloride (TiCl₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), as represented by the reaction:
TiO₂ (s) + Cl₂(g) → TiCl₄ (g) + CO₂(g)
The titanium tetrachloride is then reduced with molten magnesium, in a high-temperature reaction to produce metallic titanium and magnesium chloride:
TiCl₄ (g) + 2 Mg (l) → Ti(s) + 2 MgCl₂ (l)
This method relies heavily on the availability and cost of magnesium, which can often be the limiting reactant due to its price. Titanium's applications are numerous due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance, making it a valuable metal in industries such as aerospace and medical implants.