25561-30-2 | Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide

CAS:25561-30-2 | Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide ,Description

Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) is an organic compound with the formula (CH3)3SiCF3CO2Me. It is a colorless liquid at room temperature and is used as a reagent in organic synthesis. BSTFA is widely used in the synthesis of organic molecules, as a catalyst in polymerization reactions, and as a derivatizing agent in analytical chemistry. In addition, BSTFA has been used in a variety of scientific research applications, including biochemical and physiological experiments. 
 

Scientific Research Applications

1. Application in Environmental Science and Ecological Toxicology

Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) is commonly used in the field of environmental science and ecological toxicology, particularly for the derivatization of hydroxyl and ketone groups in steroids. This application is crucial for analyzing steroid estrogens in environmental samples, such as natural water, sewage, sediment, and activated sludge. BSTFA aids in creating trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives, enhancing the efficiency of analytical procedures (H. Bi, 2015).

2. Use in Derivatization for Chromatographic Analysis

BSTFA is used for the trifluoroacetylation of various functional groups, such as amine, hydroxyl, and thiol groups, under mild, non-acidic conditions. This process is significant in producing neutral trifluoroacetamides, which are crucial for gas chromatography, aiding in the separation and analysis of complex samples (M. Donike, 1973).

3. Improving Sensitivity and Selectivity in GC-MS

In gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, BSTFA is employed to form derivatives of compounds like secondary amines. The use of BSTFA, sometimes in conjunction with dimethylformamide (DMF), leads to the formation of specific derivatives that can be useful for analytical applications, although caution is advised due to potential undesired reactions (S. K. Sethi, P. Crain, J. McCloskey, 1983).

4. Analysis of Environmental Contaminants

BSTFA's role in improving the detection and quantification of environmental contaminants, such as chlorinated bisphenol A in human plasma, is noteworthy. Its use in solid-phase microextraction (SPME) methods enhances the chromatographic properties and sensitivity of the analytical process, demonstrating its versatility in environmental and biomedical sciences (M. del Olmo et al., 2005).

5. Examination of Biochemical Compounds

BSTFA is instrumental in the examination of biochemical compounds like amino acids and estrogens. Its application in derivatization processes facilitates the gas chromatographic analysis of these compounds, although its suitability can vary depending on the specific analytical conditions and the nature of the compounds under study (T. Sobolevsky et al., 2003).

6. Metabolomics Studies

In the field of metabolomics, particularly in the study of leukemia cells, BSTFA has been shown to be effective in the derivatization of intracellular metabolites. The choice of derivatization agent can significantly impact the number of detected metabolites, extraction efficiency, and repeatability, making BSTFA a valuable tool for robust and reproducible metabolomic analysis (H. Yue et al., 2018).

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