406-93-9 | 4,4,4-Trifluorobutyric Acid

CAS:406-93-9 | 4,4,4-Trifluorobutyric Acid ,Description

4,4,4-Trifluorobutyric acid (TFBA) is an organic compound with the chemical formula C4H7F3O2. It is a colorless, water-soluble liquid with an unpleasant odor. TFBA is a versatile reagent used in a variety of scientific applications, including in vivo and in vitro studies. It is also used in the synthesis of various compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and specialty chemicals. TFBA has a wide range of biochemical and physiological effects, which makes it a valuable tool for researchers.
 

Scientific Research Applications

Synthetic Applications in Organic Chemistry

4,4,4-Trifluorobutyric acid, though not directly mentioned, relates closely to the field of fluorinated compounds, which are extensively utilized in organic synthesis due to their unique reactivity and ability to modify the physical and chemical properties of molecules. One example is trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (triflic acid), which is used in electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, formation of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds, and syntheses of carbo- and heterocyclic structures. Its high protonating power and low nucleophilicity enable the generation of cationic species from organic molecules, which are crucial in studying their transformations and in the synthesis of new organic compounds (Kazakova & Vasilyev, 2017).

Environmental Degradation and Remediation

Polyfluoroalkyl chemicals, closely related to trifluorobutyric acid due to their fluorinated nature, are used in numerous industrial and commercial applications. Their degradation in the environment into perfluoroalkyl acids is a significant concern due to their toxic profiles. Research into the microbial degradation pathways of these compounds is crucial for understanding their environmental fate and for developing remediation strategies. This involves studying the transformation of precursor compounds in laboratory settings to better evaluate their impacts and degradation products (Liu & Avendaño, 2013).

Biomedical Research and Therapeutic Applications

Fluorinated compounds like 4-phenylbutyric acid, while structurally different, share the functional aspect of incorporating fluorine atoms to enhance their biological activity. 4-Phenylbutyric acid is studied for its potential as a chemical chaperone, which can prevent misfolded protein aggregation and alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress. This research is indicative of the broader potential of fluorinated compounds, including 4,4,4-trifluorobutyric acid, in developing therapeutic strategies for diseases caused by protein misfolding (Kolb et al., 2015).

Environmental and Human Health Impact Studies

Research into the environmental and health impacts of fluorinated compounds, such as perfluoroalkyl acids, highlights the importance of understanding the persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity of these substances. Studies focusing on the developmental toxicity of perfluoroalkyl acids provide insights into potential human health risks, further emphasizing the need for comprehensive risk assessments and regulations concerning the use and disposal of fluorinated compounds (Lau et al., 2004).

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