Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is the strongest monoprotic organic acid. It has been synthesized by the oxidation of bis(trifluoromethylthio)mercury with aqueous hydrogen peroxide.[1] It undergoes complete dissociation in basic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylacetamide and dimethylformamide. Its dissociation in non-aqueous solvents has been studied by conductometry.[1] On mixing trifluoromethanesulfonic acid with HNO_3, it forms nitronium trifluoromethane sulfonate, which is an excellent nitrating reagent.[2]

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid is a versatile reagent[3], employed as catalyst for the following studies:

• Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with methyl benzoate.[4]
• Addition reaction of dialkyl disulfides to terminal alkynes.[5]
• Synthesis of a single cyclic tetrasiloxane containing propylammonium trifluoromethanesulfonate and methyl side-chain groups (Am-CyTS).[6]
• Preparation of starting reagents for the synthesis of fluorinated 2,5-substituted 1-ethyl-1H-benzimidazole derivatives.[7]
• Synthesis of aryl triflates,[8] the lactonization of alkenoic acids,[9] and the formation of E-alkenes.[10]

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid may be used as an initiator for the cationic polymerization of styrene[11], hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane[12] and L,L-dilactide.[13]

Deglycosylation agent

10, 50, 100 g in ampule