Chemical Description

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is an organic compound with the formula CF3SO3H.

Preparation

Yellow-brown liquid. The boiling point is 167~170 ℃.The refractive index is 1.331.The relative density is 1.708.It is the strongest organic acids, easily soluble in water.Use carbon disulfide as raw material, with the reaction of iodine pentafluoride to produce trifluoromethyl disulfide.(CF3S) 2Hg was obtained when reacting with mercury; Then through oxidation of hydrogen oxide, trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is acquired.

Reactions

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid acts as a catalyst for esterification reactions and an acidic titrant in nonaqueous acid-base titration. It is useful in protonations due to the presence of conjugate base triflate is non nucleophilic. It serves as a deglycosylation agent for glycoproteins. In addition, it is a precursor and a catalyst in organic chemistry. It reacts with acyl halides to prepare mixed triflate anhydrides, which are strong acylating agents used in Friedel-Crafts reactions. It acts as a key starting material for the preparation of ethers and olefins by reacting with alcohols as well as to prepare trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride by dehydration reaction. Catalyst used in the production of cocoa butter substitute from palm oil. This is a very similar reaction to what would be done if one wanted to create polymers using triflic acid in the synthesis. Other Friedel-Crafts type reactions using triflic acid include cracking of alkanes and alkylation of alkenes which are very important to the petroleum industry. These triflic acid derivative catalysts are very effective in isomerizing straight chain or slightly branched hydrocarbons that can increase the octane rating of a particular petroleum based fuel.

Definition

ChEBI: Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is a one-carbon compound that is methanesulfonic acid in which the hydrogens attached to the methyl carbon have been replaced by fluorines. It is a one-carbon compound and a perfluoroalkanesulfonic acid. It is a conjugate acid of a triflate.

General Description

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is a strong organic acid. It can be prepared by reacting bis(trifluoromethylthio)mercury with H2O2. On mixing with HNO3, it affords a nitrating reagent (a nitronium salt). This reagent is useful for the nitration of aromatic compounds. Its dissociation in various organic solvents has been studied.

Safety Profile

A corrosive irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. A strong acid. Violent reaction with acyl chlorides or aromatic hydrocarbons evolves toxic hydrogen chloride gas. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of Fand SOx. See also FLUORIDES.