What is Click Chemistry?

Click Chemistry refers to a class of chemical reactions that are highly specific, fast, and efficient, allowing scientists to two molecules together under simple conditions.

These reactions are broadly applicable across many areas of research, enabling precise labeling, modification, and conjugation of biomolecules. Unlike homobifunctional linkers, which can lead to random or multi-site binding, click chemistry reactions are directional, ensuring that molecules are conjugated at specific sites, preserving their orientation and functionality. Vector offers a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality click chemistry reagents to meet broad application needs.
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Vector has a comprehensive
Click Chemistry Toolbox

providing solutions to meet your unique experimental requirements. Vector's reagents are manufactured for exceptional quality, scalability, and reproducibility, with rigorous quality control ensuring dependable performance across a wide range of experimental applications.

Why Choose Click Chemistry?

Discover the unique advantages that make Click Chemistry an essential tool for bioconjugation reactions.
Property Value
High Specificity Highly specific reactions, even in complex biological environments
Rapid Reaction Kinetics Fast, efficient reactions
High Yield and Purity Near-quantitative yields with minimal by-products
Mild, Biocompatible Conditions Compatibility with biological systems with gentle reaction conditions
Modularity Modular components allow incorporation of diverse functional groups into molecules to meet application requirements
Scalable Reactions Scalable reactions with reproducible results at both small and large scales
Solubility Compatible with both aqueous and organic solvents enabling reactions in a wide range of experimental conditions.

Choosing a Click Chemistry Solution:

Feature CuAAC
Copper-Catalyzed Azide-­Alkyne Cy­cload­di­tion
SPAAC
Strain-Promoted Azide-­Alkyne Cy­cload­di­tion
Tetrazine-TCO Ligation
Reaction Partners Azide and terminal alkyne Azide and DBCO (cyclooctyne) Tetrazine and trans-cyclooctene (TCO)
Reaction Kinetics Fast Moderate Extremely fast
Catalyst Re­quire­ment Requires a copper catalyst (Cu(I)). Accelerating copper-chelating ligands improve efficiency & cytotoxicity No catalyst required (copper-free) No catalyst required (copper-free)
Bio­com­pat­ibility Limited Highly bio­com­patible, ideal for in vivo applications Highly bio­com­patible, ideal for in vivo applications
Cytotoxicity Can be cytotoxic due to copper Non-toxic (no copper catalyst) Non-toxic (no copper catalyst)
Reaction Yield High yield and efficiency in vitro High yields but slower to reach completion than Tetrazine-TCO High yields, very efficient
Reactant Con­cen­tra­tions Typically requires micromolar Con­cen­tra­tions of both azide and alkyne, along with a copper catalyst, to achieve efficient yields. Can function at micromolar to millimolar Con­cen­tra­tions, but lower Con­cen­tra­tions slow the reaction rate. Highly efficient at nanomolar to micromolar Con­cen­tra­tions of both tetrazine and TCO.
Key Advantage Well-established, efficient, and high-yielding in vitro Copper-free, bioorthogonal and suitable with mild biological conditions Fastest click reaction, bioorthogonal, ideal for applications requiring rapid kinetics
More Info about CuAAC More Info about SPAAC More Info about TCO/Tetrazine
provide complete, ready-to-use solutions for researchers looking to simplify and accelerate their click chemistry experiments:
  • Click-&-Go® Plus OPP Protein Synthesis Assay, enabling fast and sensitive detection of nascent proteins through fluorescence imaging.
  • Click-&-Go® Enrichment Kits, allowing for the efficient capture of azide- or alkyne-labeled proteins using agarose resins for downstream mass spectrometry or proteomics.
  • Click-&-Go® IsoTaG Kits, empowering intact glycopeptide profiling on azide- or alkyne-modified glycopeptides
  • Click-&-Go® Fluorescent Imaging Kits, labeling alkyne-labeled molecules with fluorescent dyes.
  • Click-&-Go® Reaction Buffer Kits, performing click chemistry reactions in cell-based or biochemical assays.
making it the ideal choice for scientists across drug development, biological research, materials science, and environmental sensing. With its variety of options, click chemistry enables safe and efficient reactions in living systems and synthetic environments alike. Vector’s comprehensive portfolio of click chemistry reagents provides researchers with reliable, high-quality solutions designed to streamline workflows and deliver consistent, reproducible results across a wide range of applications.
Get in touch with us at
[email protected]
to take the next step in your bioconjugate journey.