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Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA)

The reactions of trifluoroacetic acid are centered on its carboxyl group. The trifluromethyl group is of the most stable structures known, being inert towards practically all oxidizing, reducing, and hydrolyzing conditions. Although a strong organic acid, trifluoroacetic acid is considerably weaker than strong inorganic acids. The use of trifluoroacetic acid as an olefin hydration promoter permits the synthesis of alcohols from olefins which are polymerized, oxidized, or otherwise decomposed by sulfuric acid. A wide range of reactions are promoted by trifluroacetic acid including esterifications, condensations, and oxidations. Its advantages over the usual acid catalysts are smoother reaction and less decomposition. TFA also offers easy handling and recovery in these applications.

Applications

• Solvent
• Catalyst
• Reagent
• Water miscible
• Low boiling point reagent
• High dielectric constant
• Strong acidity
• Trifluoromethyl group
• Less oxidizing than sulfuric acid
• Inert toward practically all oxidizing, reducing and hydrolyzing conditions

Suitable for

• Organic synthesis
• Peptides synthesis
• Proteins synthesis
• Use as catalyst for a wide range of reactions including esterifications, condensations, and oxidations
• Esterification and transesterification promoter
• Promotes condensation reactions involving acyl groups and aromatic or unsaturated compounds
• Solvent for chromotography

bearpawTrifluoroacetic acid (TFA)