[3] Trifluoroacetyl chloride has a vapor density that is 4.6 times that of air, or about 1.384 grams per milliliter at 20 °C (68 °F) as a liquid under pressure.

[2] The compound easily reacts with water and moist air to produce the toxic gas hydrogen chloride and trifluoroacetic acid.

[3][4] Trifluoroacetyl chloride is incompatible with a number of other varieties of chemicals, such as amines, alcohols, alkalis, and strong oxidizers.

This reaction has the form of CF3COCl + MR → CF3COR + MCl, where M can be lithium, copper, magnesium, mercury, silver, or cadmium.

When trifluoroacetyl chloride also reacts with ketene and esterification yields occur, the resulting reaction forms trifluoroacetoacetate esters.

[5] When the compound reacts with water in contact with metal, hydrogen gas, which is explosive, is produced.

[4] Some acetoacetic esters produced by trifluoroacetyl chloride are in turn used to perform chemical reactions that result in the formation of compounds with agricultural and pharmaceutical applications.

Trifluoroacetyl chloride is a toxic compound, and may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin.