HFBA (Heptafluorobutyric Anhydride) is a versatile acylation reagent widely used in analytical chemistry, particularly for the confirmation of drugs of abuse. It readily reacts with alcohols, amines, and phenols, making it a valuable tool for derivatization in complex analyses.
To enhance its reactivity, bases such as triethylamine or trimethylamine can be added during the reaction process. HFBA is especially favored in Electron Capture Detection (ECD) due to the high sensitivity of its derivatives, ensuring accurate and reliable detection in trace-level analyses.