Titanium(IV) isopropoxide and zirconium(IV) n-propoxide was reacted with salicylic acid, sodium salicylate, benzoic acid, and phenol. Titanium(IV) salicylate and phenoxide are orange solids whereas the corresponding zirconium compounds are white, as are the titanium and zirconium derivatives of benzoic acid. The titanium-sodium salicylate derivative is yellow whereas the zirconium analog is white. These compounds have been characterized using NMR, IR, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Ab initio calculations have been employed to probe the color differences between the titanium and zirconium compounds.