Sodium trifluoroacetate is an organic metal compound with the chemical formula CF3COONa. It is a white crystalline powderr that easily absorbs moisture. This compound has the ability to add a trifluoromethyl group to halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons.
Sodium trifluoroacetate is used in acid catalyzed reactions. It is also used as an intermediate for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Further, it acts as a precursor for the trifluoromethylation of aldehydes using copper(I) halide as a catalyst.
It can be obtained by reacting trifluoroacetic acid with sodium carbonate or sodium hydroxide.
A possible contaminant is NaCl. The solid is treated with CF3CO2H and evaporated twice. Its solubility in CF3CO2H is 13.1% at 29.8o. The residue is crystallised from dilute EtOH, and the solid is dried in vacuum at 100o. [Hara & Cady J Am Chem Soc 76 4285 1954.] It can be precipitated from EtOH by adding dioxane, then recrystallising several times from hot absolute EtOH. Dry it at 120-130o/1mm. [Beilstein 2 IV 461.]
