Product Introduction
Trifluoroacetic acid, commonly abbreviated as TFA (CAS 76-05-1), is a strong carboxylic acid and a fluorinated analogue of acetic acid. It appears as a colorless, volatile, and fuming liquid with a sharp, biting odor. Trifluoroacetic acid (CAS 76-05-1) is an indispensable reagent in organic chemistry, characterized by its high acidity ($pK_a$ of 0.23), excellent solvent properties, and miscibility with water and most organic solvents. Because the fluorine atoms are highly electron-withdrawing, TFA is significantly more acidic than acetic acid, making it a powerful catalyst and a specialized solvent for dissolving proteins and synthetic polymers.
Applications
Peptide Synthesis and Cleavage Reagent
This product is the industry standard for the removal of side-chain protecting groups (such as Boc and t-Bu) in solid-phase peptide synthesis and acts as a solvent for liquid-phase synthesis.
Pharmaceutical and Agrochemical Intermediate
It serves as a key building block and precursor for the introduction of the trifluoromethyl group into various active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and specialty agricultural chemicals.
Analytical Chemistry and HPLC Mobile Phase
TFA is widely used as an ion-pairing agent in the mobile phase of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to improve peak shape and resolution for peptides and small molecules.
Organic Synthesis Catalyst
It acts as a versatile acid catalyst for various reactions, including esterification, condensation, and the rearrangement of organic molecules where a strong organic acid is required.
Solvent for Specialized Polymers
It is utilized as a specialized solvent for NMR spectroscopy and for dissolving tough polymers like polyamides and polyesters that are insoluble in traditional organic solvents.
Packaging
Standard industrial packaging options for Trifluoroacetic Acid include:
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50kg or 250kg specialized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic drums with fluorinated inner linings.
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ISO Tanks for bulk international maritime transport (approx. 20-24 MT).
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30kg UN-approved composite drums for smaller industrial batches.
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High-purity glass bottles (1L or 2.5L) for laboratory-grade or spectroscopic-grade requirements.
Storage
Trifluoroacetic Acid is highly corrosive and volatile; it must be stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated dedicated chemical warehouse. Containers must be kept tightly sealed and made of compatible materials (fluorinated plastics or glass). Keep away from heat, moisture, and direct sunlight. It should be stored separately from strong bases, alkali metals, and oxidizing agents. Ensure the storage area is equipped with adequate acid-fume scrubbing systems.
