Substance profile
TCA (ISO)
TCA (ISO) is a colorless to white, crystalline solid with a slight characteristic odor.
01 · Identification
What TCA (ISO) is
TCA (ISO) is a colorless to white, crystalline solid with a slight characteristic odor. Its molecular formula is C2HCl3O2 and its molecular weight is 163.38 g/mol. It boils at 196 °C, melts at 57.5 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Danger. It is classed as carcinogens.
02 · Identifiers
TCA (ISO) identifiers and molecular data
TCA (ISO) CAS number and EC number
TCA (ISO) molecular formula and molecular weight
Other names for TCA (ISO)
- trichloroacetic acid
03 · GHS classification
TCA (ISO) hazard classification
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
TCA (ISO) pictograms and signal word
TCA (ISO) hazard class and category
| Hazard class | Category | From code | Pictogram |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin corrosion/irritation GHS chapter 3.2 | Category 1A or 1B or 1C | H314 | GHS05 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - acute GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H400 | GHS09 |
| Hazardous to the aquatic environment - chronic GHS chapter 4.1 | Category 1 | H410 | GHS09 |
Where two values are shown with “or”, the hazard statement is shared by more than one category or by more than one class, and the code alone does not say which. H272, for example, belongs to oxidising liquids and to oxidising solids — the physical state decides. The binding answer for a specific entry is in the CLP Annex VI table itself.
TCA (ISO) hazard statements (H-codes)
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H314 | Causes severe skin burns and eye damage. |
| H400 | Very toxic to aquatic life. |
| H410 | Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
This page lists only the codes assigned to TCA (ISO). The full reference lives on the hazard statements hub, the precautionary statements hub and the GHS pictograms hub.
Safety Data Sheet
Getting an SDS for TCA (ISO)
A Safety Data Sheet is written for a product, not for a substance: the supplier of the grade you actually buy issues it, so two suppliers of TCA (ISO) issue two different sheets. That is why there is no single authoritative SDS for a substance to download — what there is, is the job of collecting the sheets for the products you hold and keeping them current as suppliers revise them.
04 · Precautionary statements
TCA (ISO) precautionary statements
CLP Annex VI assigns 8 precautionary statements to TCA (ISO). They are grouped the way a label groups them: what to do before handling, what to do when something has already happened, how to store it and how to dispose of it.
Prevention
What to do before and during handling so the hazard never happens.
Response
What to do once exposure, spillage or fire has already happened.
Disposal
What has to happen to the contents and the empty container.
Reading the notation. … is a blank the supplier fills in — not a truncated sentence.· [square brackets] mark a part printed only when it applies.
05 · Names in the regulation
TCA (ISO) name in 23 EU languages
CLP Annex VI Part 3 is published in every language edition of the regulation, and the identification column is written out in each of them. Nothing below is translated by us: each line is the name as that edition prints it. Under Art. 18(2) the substance name from Annex VI is a lawful product identifier, so this is the wording to put on a label going to that market — and where the cell lists several designations, any one of them qualifies.
| Language | Name in CLP Annex VI Part 3 |
|---|---|
| Bulgarian български | TCA (ISO) трихлорооцетна киселина |
| Spanish español | TCA (ISO) ácido tricloroacético |
| Czech čeština | TCA (ISO) trichloroctová kyselina |
| Danish dansk | TCA (ISO) trichloreddikesyre |
| German Deutsch | TCA (ISO) Trichloressigsäure |
| Estonian eesti | TCA (ISO) trikloroäädikhape |
| Greek ελληνικά | TCA (ISO) τριχλωροξικό οξύ |
| English English | TCA (ISO) trichloroacetic acid |
| French français | TCA (ISO) acide trichloroacétique |
| Croatian hrvatski | TCA (ISO) trikloroctena kiselina |
| Italian italiano | TCA (ISO) acido tricloroacetico |
| Latvian latviešu | TCA (ISO) trihloretiķskābe |
| Lithuanian lietuvių | TCA (ISO) trichloracto rūgštis |
| Hungarian magyar | TCA (ISO) triklórecetsav |
| Maltese Malti | TCA (ISO) aċidu trikloroaċetiku |
| Dutch Nederlands | TCA (ISO) trichloorazijnzuur |
| Polish polski | TCA (ISO) kwas trichlorooctowy |
| Portuguese português | TCA (ISO) ácido tricloroacético |
| Romanian română | TCA (ISO) acid tricloracetic |
| Slovak slovenčina | TCA (ISO) kyselina trichlóroctová |
| Slovenian slovenščina | TCA (ISO) trikloroocetna kislina |
| Finnish suomi | TCA (ISO) trikloorietikkahappo |
| Swedish svenska | TCA (ISO) triklorättiksyra |
All 23 language editions of Annex VI carry this entry. Irish is the twenty-fourth official EU language and has no line here for a different reason: no consolidated CLP text has ever been published in Irish, so there is no Irish edition of Annex VI to quote a name from. Source: consolidated CLP, CELEX 02008R1272, language editions. © European Union, https://eur-lex.europa.eu — only the electronic Official Journal of the European Union is authentic.
06 · Label elements
TCA (ISO) GHS label elements
Everything CLP Annex VI fixes for TCA (ISO), laid out the way it appears on a label. The greyed lines are the parts only the supplier can fill in.
Danger
TCA (ISO)
- Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.
- Very toxic to aquatic life.
- Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
- Do not breathe dust/fume/gas/mist/vapours/spray.
- Avoid release to the environment.
- Wear protective gloves/protective clothing/eye protection/face protection/hearing protection/…
- IF SWALLOWED:
- Immediately call a POISON CENTER/doctor/…
- Do NOT induce vomiting.
- Collect spillage.
- Dispose of contents/container to …
Supplier name, address and telephone number· Product identifier·Nominal quantity
Need this as an actual label? Open TCA (ISO) in the GHS label constructor →
07 · Health hazards
TCA (ISO) health hazards and exposure limits
TCA (ISO) carcinogenicity classification
Evaluation: There is inadequate evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of trichloroacetic acid. There is limited evidence in experimental animals for the carcinogenicity of trichloroacetic acid. Overall evaluation: Trichloroacetic acid is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
CLASSIFICATION: C; possible human carcinogen. BASIS FOR CLASSIFICATION: The classification is based on a lack of human data and limited evidence of an increased incidence of liver neoplasms in both sexes of one strain of mice. No evidence of carcinogenicity was found in rats. Results from genotoxicity studies are mixed; trichloroacetic acid does not appear to be a point mutagen. HUMAN CARCINOGENICITY DATA: None. ANIMAL CARCINOGENICITY DATA: Limited.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
An IARC group and a CLP classification answer different questions. IARC judges whether the evidence for cancer in humans is strong enough; CLP Annex VI is the legally binding EU classification. A substance can carry one and not the other.
TCA (ISO) occupational exposure limits
| Limit | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| PEL | none See Appendix G | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| REL | 1 ppm (7 mg/m³) | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) |
| REL | TWA 1 ppm (7 mg/m3) | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
| IDLH | N.D. | The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) |
These are United States values. The European Union sets its own indicative and binding limits, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation — not the one shown here.
08 · Physical and chemical properties
TCA (ISO) properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
TCA (ISO) boiling point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 195.5 °C (383.9 °F) | HSDB | |
| 197.78 °C (388 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 198 °C (388.4 °F) | ICSC |
TCA (ISO) melting point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting point | 57.5 °C (135.5 °F) | HSDB | |
| 57.78 °C (136 °F) | NIOSH | ||
| 58 °C (136.4 °F) | ICSC |
TCA (ISO) density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.63 g/cm³ | HSDB | |
| 1.62 g/cm³ | NIOSH | ||
| 1.62 g/cm³ | at 25 °C | CAMEO |
TCA (ISO) solubility
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solubility | Sol in 0.1 part water; very sol in alcohol, ether | HSDB | |
| Sol in ethanol, ethyl ether; slightly sol in carbon tetrachloride | HSDB | ||
| The acid has a solubility in water at 25 °C of 1,000 g/100 ml; it is soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether. | at 25 °C | HSDB |
TCA (ISO) vapor pressure
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor pressure | 0.06 mmHg | at 25 °C | HSDB |
| 1 mmHg | at 51 °C | CAMEO | |
| 0.9976 mmHg | at 51 °C | ICSC |
TCA (ISO) flash point
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flash point | 110 °C (230 °F) | above this value | CAMEO |
TCA (ISO) lower explosive limit (LEL)
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | Noncombustible Solid | NIOSH |
TCA (ISO) vapor density
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vapor density | 5.6 (air = 1) | CAMEO |
TCA (ISO) odor threshold
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Odor threshold | Odor Threshold Low: 0.24 [ppm] | Haz-Map | |
| Odor Threshold High: 0.37 [ppm] | Haz-Map | ||
| Recognition odor threshold from CHEMINFO | Haz-Map |
TCA (ISO) corrosivity
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corrosivity | Corrosive to iron, zinc, and aluminum. | HSDB | |
| Extremely corrosive to skin on prolonged contact | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
09 · Fire and explosion
TCA (ISO) fire and explosion behaviour
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
TCA (ISO) fire potential
NONCONBUSTIBLE
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
10 · Handling and storage
TCA (ISO) storage and handling
TCA (ISO) safe storage
Separated from food and feedstuffs. See Chemical Dangers. Cool. Dry. Well closed. Keep in a well-ventilated room.
Source: ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
TCA (ISO) storage conditions
IN GENERAL, MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR WHICH CAN DECOMP INTO TOXIC COMPONENTS ... SHOULD BE STORED IN A COOL, WELL-VENTILATED PLACE, OUT OF ... SUN, AWAY FROM AREAS OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD, AND SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED & MONITORED. INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE ISOLATED FROM EACH OTHER.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
TCA (ISO) incompatible materials
/Trichloroacetic acid/ was added to copper wool and rinsed down with dimethyl sulfoxide. Within 20 seconds, the contents of the flask were ejected and the neck was distorted by intense heat.
Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
TCA (ISO) reactivity
TRICHLOROACETIC ACID is a strong acid; when heated, in the presence of water, decomposes forming phosgene and HCl. [Handling Chemicals Safely 1980 p. 915]. The acid was added to copper wool and rinsed down with dimethyl sulfoxide. This caused what was thought to be an extremely exothermic dehydrohalogenation reaction that melted the neck of the flask, [Chem. Eng. News, 1981, 59(28), 4].
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check TCA (ISO) in the storage compatibility matrix →
11 · Transport
TCA (ISO) UN number and transport classification
Transport classification is a separate system from the GHS classification above. It decides how a package is marked and how a load may be carried; it does not follow from the workplace label, and the workplace label does not follow from it. The entries below are linked by CAS number, never by name.
The same CAS number is shipped under more than one UN number. Which entry applies follows from the form and the concentration of the consignment — read the proper shipping name, not the CAS.
TCA (ISO) under UN 1839 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRICHLOROACETIC ACID | 8 | C4 | II | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 8 is “Corrosive substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichloroacetic acid | 8 | II | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 8 is “Corrosive material” (49 CFR 173.2).
TCA (ISO) under UN 2564 — shipping name, class and packing group
Europe · ADR 2025, Table A
| Proper shipping name (3.1.2) | Class | Classification code | PG | Labels (column 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TRICHLOROACETIC ACID SOLUTION | 8 | C3 | II | |
| TRICHLOROACETIC ACID SOLUTION | 8 | C3 | III | |
Source: ADR 2025, Table A of Chapter 3.2 · ECE/TRANS/352 Vol. I (UNECE). Class 8 is “Corrosive substances” (ADR 2.1.1.1).
United States · 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table
| Proper shipping name (column 2) | Class or division | PG | Labels (column 6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trichloroacetic acid, solution | 8 | II | |
| Trichloroacetic acid, solution | 8 | III | |
Source: 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table · eCFR, revision 2026-08-03. Class 8 is “Corrosive material” (49 CFR 173.2).
12 · Questions
TCA (ISO) — frequently asked questions
What is the CAS number of TCA (ISO)?
The CAS number of TCA (ISO) is 76-03-9. Its EC number is 200-927-2.
What is the chemical formula of TCA (ISO)?
The molecular formula of TCA (ISO) is C2HCl3O2 and its molecular weight is 163.38 g/mol.
What does a TCA (ISO) label have to show?
Under CLP Annex VI the label for TCA (ISO) carries the pictograms Corrosion and Environment and the signal word is Danger.
Is TCA (ISO) flammable?
CLP Annex VI assigns TCA (ISO) no flammability hazard class. That is not a statement that it cannot burn: the harmonised list only records the hazards that were assessed for it. The flash point reported for it is 110 °C (230 °F), above this value (CAMEO).
Is TCA (ISO) a carcinogen?
CLP Annex VI records no harmonised carcinogenicity classification for TCA (ISO). Annex VI is a list of agreed classifications, not a list of substances found safe, so this is an absence of a classification rather than a clean bill of health. IARC places it in Group 2B: possibly carcinogenic to humans.
What is the exposure limit for TCA (ISO)?
The US occupational exposure limit reported for TCA (ISO) is none See Appendix G (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)). Limits differ by country: the EU sets its own indicative and binding values, and the figure that applies at a given workplace is the one in the local regulation.
What is the boiling point of TCA (ISO)?
The boiling point reported for TCA (ISO) is 195.5 °C (383.9 °F) (HSDB).
What is the melting point of TCA (ISO)?
The melting point reported for TCA (ISO) is 57.5 °C (135.5 °F) (HSDB).
How should TCA (ISO) be stored?
IN GENERAL, MATERIALS WHICH ARE TOXIC AS STORED OR WHICH CAN DECOMP INTO TOXIC COMPONENTS ... SHOULD BE STORED IN A COOL, WELL-VENTILATED PLACE, OUT OF ... SUN, AWAY FROM AREAS OF HIGH FIRE HAZARD, AND SHOULD BE PERIODICALLY INSPECTED & MONITORED. INCOMPATIBLE MATERIALS SHOULD BE ISOLATED FROM EACH OTHER. (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB))
Nearby
Substances next to TCA (ISO)
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