Trichloroacetic Acid
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- Size 500g Remove This Item
Trichloroacetic Acid is a monocarboxylic acid. Structurally, it is acetic acid in which all three hydrogens on the methyl group have been substituted with chlorine atoms. It is a water-soluble, colorless, crystalline solid. It is prepared via Hell-Volhard-Zelinksy halogenization, by reacting acetic acid with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst, or via oxidation of trichloracetaldehyde.

Trichloroacetic Acid is used in the cosmetic industry as a peeling agent to remove wrinkles, as well as tattoo removal, and wart removal. In research laboratories, it is used in organic synthesis, as well as for the precipitation of biochemical macromolecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA). It is a known carcinogen and toxic to aquatic life.