Cl3CCO2H

Cl3CCO2H, also known as trichloroacetic acid, is a chlorinated derivative of acetic acid. Its chemical formula indicates a molecule with a central carbon atom bonded to three chlorine atoms and a carboxyl group (CO2H). This structure gives trichloroacetic acid unique chemical properties. It is a strong acid, significantly more acidic than acetic acid itself, due to the electron-withdrawing effect of the three chlorine atoms. It appears as a colorless crystalline solid.

Trichloroacetic acid is soluble in water and many organic solvents. It is commonly used in laboratories as a precipitating agent for proteins and nucleic acids. This property makes it useful in biochemical research and in certain medical diagnostic tests. In dermatology, it is employed as a chemical peel for skin resurfacing and to treat conditions such as warts and actinic keratoses. Its corrosive nature requires careful handling and application. It can also be used as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemical compounds.