Click Chemistry

Chemistry is commonly defined as the scientific study of matter, specifically its properties, behavior, and how it changes when it undergoes reactions. Click chemistry is a term introduced in the early 21st century by Barry Sharpless and his colleagues to describe the usage of synthetic reactions as an approach to chemical synthesis. Through fast and efficient reactions, desired products can be created easily without producing a large number of hazardous byproducts, if any. The term “click” represents the simplicity and satisfaction people get from clicking objects together. 

One common example of a reaction classified under click chemistry is copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC). As the name suggests, copper is used as a catalyst to drive the reaction between two molecules. It is known for being extremely versatile, able to be performed at room temperature in a multitude of safe environments, while forming the products quickly.

Although still a relatively new concept, click chemistry has proved to be important in the development of new drugs and medicines. Where it may have been more challenging to create these medicines in the past, it is now less costly, faster, and easier to do so. Click chemistry has even been used in the process of discovering potential drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and cancer. Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have stated that click chemistry is an extremely useful gift that allows for the ease of many chemical applications, and will continue to be beneficial in the future.

References:

“Click Chemistry.” Scripps Research Magazine, magazine.scripps.edu/features/2019/spring-summer/click-chemistry/.

Devaraj, Neal K., and M. G. Finn. “Introduction: Click Chemistry.” Chemical Reviews, vol. 121, no. 12, 23 June 2021, pp. 6697–6698.

Li, Li, and Zhiyuan Zhang. “Development and Applications of the Copper-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition (CuAAC) as a Bioorthogonal Reaction.” Molecules, vol. 21, no. 10, 24 Oct. 2016, p. 1393, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21101393.

Nebra, Noel, and Joaquín García-Álvarez. “Recent Progress of Cu-Catalyzed Azide-Alkyne Cycloaddition Reactions (CuAAC) in Sustainable Solvents: Glycerol, Deep Eutectic Solvents, and Aqueous Media.” Molecules, vol. 25, no. 9, 26 Apr. 2020, p. 2015, https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules25092015.

Wang, Chen, et al. “Click Chemistry as a Connection Tool: Grand Opportunities and Challenges.” Chinese Journal of Catalysis, vol. 49, 1 June 2023, pp. 8–15, https://doi.org/10.1016/s1872-2067(23)64434-1. Accessed 29 Aug. 2023.

Wikipedia Contributors. “Click Chemistry.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 3 Nov. 2025.

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