What is "trifluoroacetic acid"

n. (context organic chemistry English) a strong carboxylic acid used frequently in organic synthesis and as a buffer in liquid chromatography, with the molecular formula C₂HF₃O₂.

Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) is an organofluorine compound with the chemical formula CFCOH. It is a colorless liquid with a sharp odor similar to vinegar, but stronger in acidity. TFA is an analogue of acetic acid with the three hydrogen atoms replaced by three fluorine atoms. The acidity of TFA is approximately 34,000 times stronger than that of acetic acid due to the electronegativity of the trifluoromethyl group. TFA is widely used in organic chemistry for various purposes.