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
Glutaconic acid can be used to make it: the "trans" form isomerizes under the reaction conditions. Glutaric, 3-hydroxyglutaric, and glutaconic acids are structurally related metabolites. In glutaric aciduria type 1, glutaconic acid accumulates, resulting in brain damage. Glutaconic acid "trans"-Glutaconic acid is an organic compound with formula HOCCH=CHCHCOH. This dicarboxylic acid exists as a colorless solid and is related to the saturated chemical glutaric acid, HOCC(CH)COH. Esters and salts of glutaconic acid are called glutaconates. The geometric isomer, "cis"-glutaconic acid, has a noticeably lower melting point (130–132 °C). It can be prepared by bromination of levulinic acid followed by treatment of the