Applications
Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid acts as a catalyst for esterification reactions and an acidic titrant in nonaqueous acid-base titration. It is useful in protonations due to the presence of conjugate base triflate is non nucleophilic. It serves as a deglycosylation agent for glycoproteins. In addition, it is a precursor and a catalyst in organic chemistry. It reacts with acyl halides to prepare mixed triflate anhydrides, which are strong acylating agents used in Friedel-Crafts reactions. It acts as a key starting material for the preparation of ethers and olefins by reacting with alcohols as well as to prepare trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride by dehydration reaction.

Solubility
Miscible with water, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide and acetonitrile.

Notes
Hygroscopic. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong bases, water and metals.