CF3COOH

Trifluoroacetic acid, with the chemical formula CF3COOH, is a strong carboxylic acid. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature and is highly soluble in water and many organic solvents. The presence of three highly electronegative fluorine atoms on the carbon atom adjacent to the carboxyl group significantly increases the acidity of the molecule compared to acetic acid. This increased acidity is due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the fluorine atoms, which stabilizes the trifluoroacetate anion.

Trifluoroacetic acid is widely used as a reagent in organic synthesis. It serves as a catalyst in various reactions, including esterifications, alkylations, and rearrangements. Its strong acidic nature and solubility in organic solvents make it a valuable tool for protecting group removal, particularly for tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc) groups. Furthermore, trifluoroacetic acid is employed as a solvent for peptide synthesis and as a component in chromatography, specifically in high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the separation of biomolecules. Due to its corrosive nature and volatility, proper handling procedures and personal protective equipment are essential when working with trifluoroacetic acid.