Substance profile
Trifluoroacetic acid
Trifluoroacetic acid is a liquid with a sharp biting odor.
01 · Identification
What Trifluoroacetic acid is
Trifluoroacetic acid is a liquid with a sharp biting odor. Its molecular formula is C2HF3O2 and its molecular weight is 114.02 g/mol. It boils at 72.4 °C, melts at -15.4 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as corrosives.
Other names for Trifluoroacetic acid
- trifluoroacetic acid . . . %
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H332 | Harmful if inhaled. |
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H412 | Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
Precautionary statements: P260, P271, P273, P280, P301, P304, P310, P312, P331, P501
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Trifluoroacetic acid properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 72.4 °C (162.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| 72 °C (161.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| 71.1 °C (160 °F) | at 760 mmHg | DOE PAC | |
| Melting point | -15.4 °C (4.3 °F) | HSDB | |
| -15 °C (5 °F) | ICSC | ||
| -15.25 °C (4.6 °F) | DOE PAC | ||
| Density | 1.5 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 1.531 g/cm³ | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| 1.535 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | DOE PAC | |
| Solubility | Miscible with ether, acetone, ethanol, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, hexane. | HSDB | |
| In water, miscible at 20 °C | at 20 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water, g/100ml at 20 °C: 100 (very good) | at 20 °C | ICSC | |
| Vapor pressure | 82.5068 mmHg | at 20 °C | ICSC |
| 110 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Vapor density | 3.9 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Critical temperature and pressure | 218.15 °C (424.7 °F) | HSDB | |
| Corrosivity | Corrosive | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Trifluoroacetic acid
Incompatible materials
A solution of 30% aqueous hydrogen peroxide in trifluoroacetic acid is useful for destructive oxidation of the aromatic ring in preference to the side chains as is usual with most oxidants. During work-up operations, the excess peroxide must be catalytically decomposed with manganese dioxide before removal of solvent to prevent explosions.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Reactivity
TRIFLUOROACETIC ACID is a strong acid; attacks many metals [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980. p. 935]. A 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide in trifluoroacetic acid is often used to destructively oxidize aromatic rings in preference to the side chains. Explosions have occurred, if the excess peroxide is not catalytically destroyed, prior to removal of solvent, [Tetrahedron Lett., 1977, 1703-1704]. The reduction of amides of trifluoroacetic acid with lithium aluminum hydride are dangerous at all phases of the process, explosions have occurred, [Chem. Eng. News, 1955, 33, 1368].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Trifluoroacetic acid in the storage compatibility matrix →