trichloroacetic acid: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHighly Technical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “trichloroacetic acid” mean?
A powerful organic acid used to precipitate proteins and as a caustic agent.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A powerful organic acid used to precipitate proteins and as a caustic agent.
A halogenated acetic acid derivative (CCl3COOH) widely employed in biochemistry for protein denaturation, in medicine as a skin treatment for warts and other lesions, and in chemical analysis.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Spelling adheres to British vs. American conventions for surrounding text (e.g., 'colour of the precipitate' vs. 'color of the precipitate').
Connotations
Identical scientific and medical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Usage frequency is identical and equally low, confined to specialist fields.
Grammar
How to Use “trichloroacetic acid” in a Sentence
Trichloroacetic acid [verb]...[Substance] was [precipitated/treated] with trichloroacetic acid.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trichloroacetic acid” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The trichloroacetic acid solution must be handled with care.
- A trichloroacetic acid precipitate formed instantly.
American English
- The trichloroacetic acid treatment was effective.
- A trichloroacetic acid-based protocol is recommended.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary domain. Used in biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry papers and protocols.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Essential term in laboratory manuals, medical dermatology texts, and chemical safety documentation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trichloroacetic acid”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trichloroacetic acid”
- Misspelling as 'trichloroacetatic acid' or 'trichloracetic acid'. Incorrect hyphenation.
- Confusing it with similar acids like dichloroacetic acid.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. It is corrosive and causes severe skin and eye burns. It must be handled in a fume hood with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
It stands for 'tricarboxylic acid', specifically citric acid. This is a common point of confusion; 'TCA' in the Krebs cycle is NOT trichloroacetic acid.
No. Its use for wart removal, for example, is a medical procedure performed by healthcare professionals. Self-application is strongly discouraged due to the risk of chemical burns and scarring.
Slowly add 10g of trichloroacetic acid crystals to approximately 70ml of distilled water while stirring in a fume hood. Once dissolved, bring the final volume to 100ml with water. Always add acid to water, never water to acid.
A powerful organic acid used to precipitate proteins and as a caustic agent.
Trichloroacetic acid is usually highly technical/scientific in register.
Trichloroacetic acid: in British English it is pronounced /traɪˌklɔːrəʊəˈsiːtɪk ˈæsɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /traɪˌklɔːroʊəˈsiːtɪk ˈæsɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TRI-chloro (three chlorines) attached to ACETIC ACID.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary use of trichloroacetic acid in biochemistry?