Trichloroacetic Acid
Buy TCA Crystals in Lab and ACS Grade, Plus 12.5% to 85% Solutions, for Professional and Laboratory Use.
Buy trichloroacetic acid online in the form and concentration your work needs, with the price right on the page. 99% Crystals come in both ACS and Lab Grade for laboratory and research use, including protein and nucleic acid precipitation. Premixed solutions at 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 85% are available for professional cosmetic and research applications, so there's no need to dissolve crystals and dilute them yourself.
Lab Alley supplies trichloroacetic acid for laboratory, industrial and professional use only. We include an SDS with every order, but we don't provide application instructions, dilution ratios or usage guidance for cosmetic procedures, since that falls outside our role as a supplier and belongs with a trained professional. TCA is also listed as a likely carcinogen and is corrosive at higher concentrations, so it ships to business, lab and school addresses rather than residential ones, and it deserves careful handling regardless of the concentration you order.
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Trichloroacetic Acid - 1 products About Trichloroacetic Acid
Trichloroacetic Acid is a monocarboxylic acid. Structurally, it is acetic acid in which all three hydrogens on the methyl group have been substituted with chlorine atoms. It is a water-soluble, colorless, crystalline solid. It is prepared via Hell-Volhard-Zelinksy halogenization, by reacting acetic acid with chlorine in the presence of a catalyst, or via oxidation of trichloracetaldehyde.
Trichloroacetic Acid is used in the cosmetic industry as a peeling agent to remove wrinkles, as well as tattoo removal, and wart removal. In research laboratories, it is used in organic synthesis, as well as for the precipitation of biochemical macromolecules (e.g. proteins, DNA, RNA). It is a known carcinogen and toxic to aquatic life.
Trichloroacetic Acid Offerings at Lab Alley
Common Uses and Applications
- Peeling agent
- Skin treatments
- Tattoo removal
- Laboratory reagent in organic synthesis
- Precipitation of biochemical macromolecules
- Wart removal
Industries
About Trichloroacetic Acid
Trichloroacetic Acid, structurally just acetic acid with all three hydrogens on its methyl group swapped out for chlorine atoms. Those three chlorine atoms are what make it so much stronger and more reactive than plain acetic acid. At full strength it's a colorless, water soluble crystalline solid, and it's commercially made by chlorinating acetic acid in the presence of a catalyst. It's corrosive to skin and tissue even in moderate concentrations, and higher concentrations are specifically what gives it a controlled, predictable protein denaturing effect, which is the same mechanism behind both its laboratory use and its professional cosmetic use.
COMMON APPLICATIONS
Precipitation of proteins, DNA and RNA in biochemistry and molecular biology labs, where it denatures and concentrates macromolecules out of solution. General organic synthesis reagent. Professional chemical peel procedures, performed by trained practitioners who select a concentration appropriate to the depth of peel needed and manage neutralization afterward. Wart and skin lesion treatment, again as a professional procedure rather than a self administered one. Lab Alley sells trichloroacetic acid for these laboratory and professional applications and does not provide usage instructions for cosmetic procedures.
GRADES EXPLAINED
ACS Grade meets American Chemical Society purity standards, for analytical and research applications where impurity limits matter. Lab Grade is solid, everyday purity without that certified standard, suitable for general laboratory and research use, including teaching labs. The premixed solutions are sold at set concentrations for professional and research use, with no dilution instructions provided, since that guidance should come from a qualified practitioner or an established laboratory protocol rather than a supplier.
TYPES & GRADES AT A GLANCE
Analytical purity for research and precise laboratory work.
General purpose purity for laboratory and teaching use.
The highest concentration solution offered, for professional and research use.
Mid range concentrations for professional and laboratory applications.
The lightest premixed concentration available.
WHY BUY FROM LAB ALLEY
256,000+ customers already order their chemicals and reagents from Lab Alley. 99.5% of orders ship within 1 to 2 business days, and 98.9% inventory accuracy means the grade you see in stock is the grade that ships. SDS and COA are available online for every trichloroacetic acid product. None of the trichloroacetic acid products on this page carry Kosher, Halal or food grade certification.
Related: See our Glycolic Acid and Salicylic Acid collections, or browse all Acids.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy trichloroacetic acid online?
Right here. We carry TCA as 99% crystals in Lab and ACS grade, plus 12.5%, 25%, 50% and 85% premixed solutions. Pick the form and concentration, check the price, and order with no quote needed for standard sizes. Most in stock orders ship within 1 to 2 business days.
Is trichloroacetic acid safe to handle?
It requires real caution at every concentration. TCA is corrosive to skin and eyes, and higher concentrations can cause serious chemical burns on contact. It is also listed as a likely carcinogen. Wear gloves, eye protection and work in a ventilated area, and review the full SDS before handling it. We supply TCA for laboratory, industrial and professional use only, and we don't provide application or dilution guidance beyond that.
ACS Grade vs Lab Grade crystals, what's the difference?
Purity and testing. ACS Grade meets American Chemical Society specifications, the one to choose for analytical work or any method that calls for ACS by name. Lab Grade is solid, general purpose purity without that certified standard, which makes it a sensible, lower cost choice for routine laboratory and teaching applications where trace impurity limits aren't critical.
Is any of your trichloroacetic acid Kosher, Halal or food grade?
No. None of the products on this page carry Kosher, Halal or food grade certification. They're sold strictly for laboratory, industrial and professional use. Each product does have an SDS and lot specific COA available, so you can review the exact specs before ordering.
Do I need a permit, and can TCA ship to a home address?
No purchase permit is required. TCA solutions ship as a DOT regulated corrosive (UN2564, Class 8, Packing Group II), so they're restricted to business, lab or school delivery addresses rather than residential ones. Each product page lists its specific shipping details, and Customer Care at 512-668-9918 can confirm before you order if you're unsure your address qualifies.
Which concentration should I order?
That depends on your protocol or professional training, and it isn't something we can advise on as a supplier. For laboratory work, follow your established method, whether that calls for crystals to weigh out yourself or one of our premixed solutions. For any professional cosmetic application, concentration selection should come from your own training and clinical judgment, not from product marketing.
What is trichloroacetic acid actually used for?
Two main areas. In biochemistry and molecular biology, it's a standard reagent for precipitating proteins, DNA and RNA out of solution, which is a routine step in many lab protocols. In professional cosmetic practice, it's used by trained practitioners for chemical peels and certain skin lesion treatments, where the acid's protein denaturing action is applied under controlled conditions. We supply the chemical itself; application in a clinical or cosmetic setting requires professional training.
Can I buy trichloroacetic acid in bulk?
Yes, the crystal grades scale up to 25 kg and 50 lb containers right on the product page. For volumes beyond what's listed, or a recurring delivery schedule, request pricing through Bulk & Custom Chemicals. Autoship takes 10% off eligible repeat orders.
How should trichloroacetic acid be stored?
Keep it tightly sealed in its original container, in a cool, dry, well ventilated area, locked away from general access given its corrosive and carcinogenic classification. Store it away from strong bases and oxidizers. The Chemical Storage Compatibility Chart is worth checking before storing it near other reactive chemicals.
Industries That Use Trichloroacetic Acid
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Learn more → If you are purchasing SDA in 5 gallons or more, you are required to provide a TTB permit showing how much of the product you are allowed to purchase per year. Please email your TTB permit to
customercare@laballey and include your Order Number.
