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Updated: May 29, 2026
12:31
Chemoselective Modification of Viral Surfaces via Bioorthogonal Click Chemistry
Published on: August 19, 2012
Exploring isonitrile-based click chemistry for ligation with biomolecules
Henning Stöckmann1, André A Neves, Shaun Stairs
1University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK CB2 1EW.
Organic & Biomolecular Chemistry
|September 15, 2011
Summary
Isonitriles and tetrazines undergo click reactions in water. This biocompatible [4+1] cycloaddition is a novel ligation strategy for chemical biology and polymer science.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Polymer Chemistry
Background:
- Click reactions are vital tools for efficient molecular construction.
- Biocompatible ligation strategies are crucial for biological applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the click reaction between isonitriles and tetrazines in aqueous media.
- To establish a novel biocompatible ligation reaction for chemical biology and polymer chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Utilized isonitriles and tetrazines as reaction partners.
- Performed the cycloaddition reaction in aqueous media.
- Characterized the reaction products.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that isonitriles react with tetrazines via a [4+1] cycloaddition in water.
- Established the biocompatibility of this ligation reaction.
- Showcased the potential for applications in chemical biology and polymer chemistry.
Conclusions:
- Isonitriles and tetrazines form a new class of click chemistry reagents for aqueous environments.
- The [4+1] cycloaddition offers a novel, biocompatible ligation method.
- This reaction expands the toolkit for bioconjugation and materials science.
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