What is "trichloroacetic acid"

n. (context organic compound English) The chlorinated derivative of acetic acid CCl₃-COOH used as a herbicide and topical antiseptic

n. a strong acid made by chlorinating acetic acid [syn: trichloracetic acid]

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA; TCAA; also known as trichloroethanoic acid) is an analogue of acetic acid in which the three hydrogen atoms of the methyl group have all been replaced by chlorine atoms. Salts and esters of trichloroacetic acid are called trichloroacetates.