Trichloroacetic acid

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Trichloroacetic acid
Names
IUPAC name
Trichloroethanoic acid
Other names
TCA
Properties
C2HCl3O2
CCl3COOH
Molar mass 163.38 g/mol
Appearance Colorless crystals
Odor Odorless
Density 1.63 g/cm3
Melting point 57.5 °C (135.5 °F; 330.6 K)
Boiling point 195.5 °C (383.9 °F; 468.6 K)
8.17 g/100 ml (20 °C)
Solubility Miscible with acetone, alcohols, benzene, diethyl ether, methanol
Slightly soluble in carbon tetrachloride
Vapor pressure 1 mmHg (51.1 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 0.66
Hazards
Safety data sheet Sigma-Aldrich
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
3.320 mg/kg (rat, oral)
Related compounds
Related compounds
Acetic acid
Chloroacetic acid
Dichloroacetic acid
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
Infobox references

Trichloroacetic acid or TCA is an organic chemical compound, an analogue of acetic acid in which the three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group have all been replaced by chlorine atoms. It has the chemical formula CCl3COOH.

Properties

Chemical

TCA is a strong acid, which reacts with bases in solution to give salts.

Physical

Trichloroacetic acid is a colorless crystalline hygroscopic solid, soluble in water and organic solvents.

Availability

Trichloroacetic acid is sold by chemical suppliers. Sometimes it is sold by some dentistry suppliers, usually as solution.

Preparation

TCA can be synthesized by complete chlorination of acetic acid, with acetic anhydride as a catalyst, in the presence of UV light. Sulfur[1] and red phosphorus[2] can also be used as catalysts.

CH3COOH + 3 Cl2 → CCl3COOH + 3 HCl

This reaction also produces acetyl chloride as side product, which may be recovered.

Projects

Handling

Safety

Trichloroacetic acid is corrosive and harmful.

Storage

In closed air-tight bottles, preferably in an desiccator.

Disposal

Adding an excess base will neutralize the compound. The compound can also be reduced to acetic acid using metallic powders.

Lastly it can also be strongly diluted in water before being poured down the drain.

References

  1. http://www.prepchem.com/synthesis-of-chloroacetic-acid/
  2. https://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/chemistry/chloroacetic.html

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