Trifluoroacetic acid (CAS 76-05-1): storage and disposal
Trifluoroacetic acid is held neat in university labs, usually in small bottles for chemistry and chromatography work. It causes severe skin burns and eye damage, is harmful if inhaled and is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects. It is a volatile, fuming liquid, so the seal on the bottle and the ventilation of the store decide how it is kept and described.
- CAS number
- 76-05-1
- Form
- Liquid
- Storage class
- Acid
- Signal word
- Danger
- Usual EWC code
- 16 05 06*
Corrosive
Harmful or irritant
What to do this week
- Check the label is readable and write down the opened date if it is not already there.
- Check it is stored as acid stock and apart from the items listed under "Do not store with".
- If you no longer need it, add it to your disposal list so it goes on the next collection.
Safe storage in a school or lab
In a university lab, a bottle of neat trifluoroacetic acid belongs in a ventilated corrosive store, not on an open bench, because it is harmful if inhaled and the liquid escapes as vapour past a worn cap. Stand it low down on an acid-resistant tray. Solvents, alkalis, oxidisers and toxic salts each need their own space, since oxidisers can become unstable in contact with acid and several toxic salts release toxic gas with it. Check the cap seats squarely every time the bottle goes back, and keep the bottle upright in a tray deep enough to hold it if it fails.
How to tell it has deteriorated
Few visible signs of ageing show up in a bottle of this kind, so the container is the evidence. A lower level in a bottle nobody has used is the most telling, because the liquid is volatile and escapes past a poor seal. Look for a perished or brittle cap, crust around the neck, fumes on opening, cracked glass and a faded label. Corroded fittings in the cabinet are another warning that vapour is getting out. A bottle with a damaged cap or an unreadable label should stay upright in its tray, with the cabinet kept ventilated, until it is collected.
How it must be disposed of
By specialist collection only. It never goes down the drain or into general waste. It is normally packed in a corrosive acid laboratory pack with compatible chemicals.
Waste code 16 05 08* fits a discarded organic chemical that is not in a lab pack, which suits neat trifluoroacetic acid because it is an organic acid. The route is specialist collection only. Because it is harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, it must never go into a sink or drain, a bin or a skip, and it must not be diluted or neutralised first. Record the volume left, whether the bottle is the original and whether the cap or neck is damaged. A bottle with a failing seal should be said so on booking, as the collector packs it apart from bases, oxidisers and organic solvents.
| EWC code, laboratory chemicals | 16 05 06* |
|---|---|
| Discarded organic chemical, not a laboratory pack | 16 05 08* |
| Hazardous waste | Yes |
The code depends on where the waste came from and what it is mixed with. Use the waste code finder to see why.
Do not store with
- FlammableOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- AlkaliAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- OxidiserMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- ToxicToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Named chemicals to keep apart
- AcetoneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Ammonia solutionAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Calcium hypochloriteMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- EthanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- FormalinToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- HexaneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Hydrogen peroxideMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Mercury(II) chlorideToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
Show 7 more
- MethanolOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
- Potassium hydroxideAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- Potassium nitrateMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Potassium permanganateMany oxidisers release toxic gas or become unstable in contact with acid.
- Sodium cyanideToxic stock is stored apart from acids. Several toxic salts release toxic gas in contact with acid.
- Sodium hydroxideAcids and alkalis react with strong heat and spattering if they meet.
- TolueneOxidising acids can ignite flammable materials, and acid fumes attack containers and seals.
Common quantities we collect
Usually held as: neat.
Part-used bottles and full containers are both fine. Tell us the size and how many, and an estimate is enough for a first price.
Where it is commonly held
Hazard statements
- H314 Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- H332 Harmful if inhaled.
- H412 Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Precautionary statements
- P260 Do not breathe dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P261 Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
- P264 Wash hands and exposed skin thoroughly after handling.
- P271 Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
- P273 Avoid release to the environment.
- P280 Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
- P301+P330+P331 IF SWALLOWED: Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting.
- P302+P361+P354 IF ON SKIN: Take off immediately all contaminated clothing. Immediately rinse with water for several minutes.
- P304+P340 IF INHALED: Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
- P305+P354+P338 IF IN EYES: Immediately rinse with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses, if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing.
- P316 Get emergency medical help immediately.
- P317 Get medical help.
- P321 Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instruction on this label).
- P363 Wash contaminated clothing before reuse.
- P405 Store locked up.
- P501 Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local, regional, national and international regulations.
Substance as classified, dilutions may differ.
Questions
Why has the level dropped in a bottle nobody has used?
Trifluoroacetic acid is volatile, so liquid can escape as vapour past a worn or poorly seated cap. A falling level means the seal is failing. Keep the bottle in a ventilated store, upright on its tray, and list it for collection.
Where in a university lab should neat stock be held?
In a ventilated corrosive store, low down on an acid-resistant tray, away from alkalis, oxidisers and solvents. It is harmful if inhaled, so avoid open benches and cupboards that are shut tight with no air movement.
Does the aquatic hazard change how a small volume is disposed of?
A small volume still counts as chemical waste. The acid is classified as harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects, so it must never be put down a sink or drain. Even a nearly empty bottle goes for specialist collection with the cap on.
