Cas No. 76-05-1 Intermediates Pharma TFA Trifluoroacetic Acid Salts

Cas No. 76-05-1 Intermediates Pharma With Name Trifluoroacetic Acid

TFA (trifluoroacetic acid and its salts). TFA is very stable in the environment as the trifluoroacetate ion (CF₃COO^–) which will be combined with counter-ions such as sodium, in seawater, or calcium or ammonium (NH₄⁺) inland, to form neutral salts. “TFA” is used as shorthand for trifluoroacetic acid and its salts.

The salts of TFA are inert and not of toxicological or environmental concern in the small concentrations (~200 ng L−1) that are present in the ocean. The current and estimated future concentrations of TFA and its salts resulting from degradation of HCFCs, HFCs, and HFOs do not pose any known significant risk to human or ecosystem health.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an organofluorine compound with the chemical formula CF3CO2H. It is a structural analogue of acetic acid with all three of the acetyl group's hydrogen atoms replaced by fluorine atoms and is a colorless liquid with a vinegar-like odor.

TFA is a stronger acid than acetic acid, having an acid ionisation constant, Ka, that is approximately 34,000 times higher, as the highly electronegative fluorine atoms and consequent electron-withdrawing nature of the trifluoromethyl group weakens the oxygen-hydrogen bond (allowing for greater acidity) and stabilises the anionic conjugate base. TFA is widely used in organic chemistry for various purposes.