N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (CAS No. 25561-30-2), commonly abbreviated as BSTFA, is a highly reactive silylating and derivatization reagent widely used in analytical chemistry.
BSTFA introduces trimethylsilyl (TMS) groups into compounds containing active hydrogen functionalities, particularly hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, thiol, and related functional groups. Conversion to more volatile TMS derivatives makes suitable analytes more compatible with gas chromatography (GC) and GC-MS analysis. FUJIFILM Wako specifically describes BSTFA as a reagent for protecting hydroxy groups, thiols, and terminal alkynes with trimethylsilyl groups.
BSTFA transfers trimethylsilyl groups to reactive functional groups in target molecules.
For a compound containing an active hydrogen group:
R–X–H → R–X–Si(CH₃)₃
where X may represent oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or another suitable functional center.
This transformation generally reduces the polarity of the analyte and can improve its volatility, thermal stability, chromatographic behavior, and detector response.
Many polar compounds are unsuitable for direct GC analysis because they have:
BSTFA converts suitable functional groups into trimethylsilyl derivatives, making these compounds more suitable for GC and GC-MS analysis.
BSTFA is widely used as a derivatization reagent in gas chromatography.
Applications include:
TCI specifically offers CAS 25561-30-2 as BSTFA for Gas Chromatography and reports an effective TMS derivatization test using DL-valine.
Hydroxyl-containing compounds can be converted into their corresponding TMS derivatives.
Applications include:
BSTFA can be used to derivatize suitable carboxylic acids prior to GC analysis.
Applications include:
BSTFA can react with suitable amino-containing compounds, enabling the preparation of derivatives for analytical characterization.
Applications include:
BSTFA is used as a derivatization reagent in analytical workflows for environmental samples.
Applications include:
FUJIFILM Wako lists a BSTFA product specifically for environmental analysis, describing its use as a derivatization agent for GC analysis.
BSTFA can be used to convert polar metabolites into more GC-compatible derivatives.
Applications include:
BSTFA is also classified as a flammable material by some suppliers; TCI reports a flash point of approximately 24°C for its GC grade.
Researchers working in the following fields may benefit from N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (CAS No. 25561-30-2):
A: N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide is a highly reactive silylating and derivatization reagent, commonly abbreviated as BSTFA, with CAS No. 25561-30-2.
A: BSTFA is primarily used for trimethylsilyl derivatization prior to GC and GC-MS analysis, particularly for compounds containing hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, and other reactive functional groups.
A: The molecular weight is 257.39 g/mol according to Thermo Fisher; some databases report 257.40 g/mol depending on rounding.
A: The molecular formula is C₈H₁₈F₃NOSi₂.
A: BSTFA converts suitable polar compounds into trimethylsilyl derivatives, generally increasing volatility and improving their suitability for GC analysis.
A: Yes. BSTFA is moisture sensitive and should be protected from atmospheric moisture. TCI recommends storage under inert gas.
A: Yes. BSTFA is widely used to prepare TMS derivatives for GC-MS analysis of suitable organic compounds and metabolites.
A: BSTFA is the abbreviation for N,O-Bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide. It is also described using systematic names such as trimethylsilyl 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-(trimethylsilyl)ethanimidate.
