Trifluoroacetic acid-Health Hazards and Toxicity

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA, molecular formula: CF3COOH) is a kind of colorless, volatile and fuming liquid with a similar odor as acetic acid. It is hygroscopic and has irritating odor. It has strong acidic property due to being affected by the electron-attracting trifluoromethyl group with its acidicity being 100000 higher than acetic acid. It has a melting point being-15.2 ℃, boiling point being 72.4 ℃, and the density being 1.5351g/cm3 (1℃). Trifluoroacetic acid is mainly used as an fluorine-containing intermediate in fine chemical, pharmaceutical, pesticide and dye. It is used as a raw material in the process of glass coating , sugar and polypeptide synthetic. It is used as a catalyst in esterification reaction and condensation reaction and a protective agent for hydroxyl and amino.

Toxicity Data
LD50 oral (rat) 200 mg/kg LC50 inhal (rat) 2000 ppm (4 h)
Major Hazards Corrosive to the skin and eyes; vapor or mist is very irritating and can be destructive to the eyes and respiratory system; ingestion causes internal irritation and severe injury.

Potential acute health effects
Eye contact:Causes serious eye damage.
Inhalation:Toxic if inhaled. May give off gas, vapor or dust that is very irritating or corrosive to the respiratory system.
Skin contact:Causes severe burns.
Ingestion:Severely corrosive to the digestive tract. Causes severe burns. May cause burns to mouth, throat and stomach.

Toxicity
Trifluoroacetic acid is a highly corrosive substance. Contact of the liquid with the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes can cause severe burns, and ingestion can result in serious damage to the digestive tract. TFA vapor is highly irritating of the eyes and respiratory tract, and inhalation of high concentrations can lead to severe destruction of the upper respiratory tract and may be fatal as a result of pulmonary edema. Symptoms of overexposure to TFA vapor include a burning feeling, coughing, headache, nausea, and vomiting. Trifluoroacetic acid has not been found to be carcinogenic or to show reproductive or developmental toxicity in humans.

Flammability and Explosibility
Trifluoroacetic acid is not combustible. Nevertheless, the presence of trifluoroacetic acid at the site of a fire would be of great concern because of its high vapor pressure and extreme corrosiveness.

Reactivity and Incompatibility
Mixing trifluoroacetic acid and water evolves considerable heat

Storage and Handling
Trifluoroacetic acid should be handled in the laboratory using the "basic prudent practices". In particular, trifluoroacetic acid should be stored in an acid cabinet away from other classes of compounds. Because of its high vapor pressure, fumes of trifluoroacetic acid can destroy labels on other bottles if the container is not tightly sealed.

Accidents
In the event of skin contact, the affected area should be flushed immediately with copious amounts of water. In case of eye contact, promptly wash with copious amounts of water for 15 min (lifting upper and lower lids occasionally). Medical attention should be obtained immediately in the event of contact with a large area of the skin or eye contact. If trifluoroacetic acid is ingested, obtain medical attention immediately. If large amounts of this compound are inhaled, move the person to fresh air and seek medical attention at once.
Carefully neutralize small spills of TFA with a suitable agent such as sodium carbonate, dilute with absorbent material, place in an appropriate container, and dispose of properly. Respiratory protection may be necessary in the event of a large spill or release in a confined area.

Disposal
Trifluoroacetic acid and waste material containing this substance should be placed in an appropriate container, clearly labeled, and handled according to your institution's waste disposal guidelines.

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