Trifluoroacetic acid Trifluoroacetic acid Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an organofluorine compound with the chemical formula CFCOH. 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 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
Maleic acid Maleic acid Maleic acid or "cis"-butenedioic acid is an organic compound that is a dicarboxylic acid, a molecule with two carboxyl groups. Its chemical formula is HOCCH=CHCOH. Maleic acid is the "cis"-isomer of butenedioic acid, whereas fumaric acid is the "trans"-isomer. It is mainly used as a precursor to fumaric acid, and relative to its parent maleic anhydride, maleic acid has few applications. Maleic acid is a less stable molecule than fumaric acid. The difference in "heat of combustion" is 22.7 kJ/mole. The heat of combustion is -1355 kJ/mole. Maleic acid is more soluble in water than fumaric acid. The