CuBr (baseclick grade)

The optimal catalyst depends on your application and the solvents used. In general, there are three major catalyst systems for copper-catalyzed click reactions that apply the required Cu(I) source:
1) You are working in aqueous media: Then we recommend using a CuSO4 (BCMI-004) based system. To generate the catalytic Cu(I) species, please do not forget to add the necessary sodium ascorbate (BCMI-005) and our water soluble THPTA ligand (BCMI-006). As the sodium ascorbate has restricted stability when dissolved, please prepare this solution always fresh.
2) When your medium is of organic nature (mostly DMSO or click solution) then use CuBr and our TBTA ligand (BCMI-002) for labeling reactions. We would like to note, that CuBr is sensitive to air. Therefore, we take precautions when aliquoting and sealing this compound. Once opened, please use the solution fast (within a few hours maximum).
3) For small sample amounts from e.g. enzymatic reactions in aqueous solvents we recommend using our reactor system that is part of our Oligo Click kits. As this catalyst will not dissolve during the reaction and can also be applied in organic media, its handling is very simple as you will see in the kits user manual. Additionally, the long-term storage is superior compared to the other catalyst systems.

The nature of click chemistry is that the reactions are fast, efficient and give good yields. Under optimal conditions, quantitative yields can be achieved easily. High concentrated or low concentrated samples are usually more difficult to optimize, but should still give yields of more than 50-80%.

Some common biochemical buffer components can interfere with the progress of copper-catalyzed click reactions (CuAAC) and therefore should be avoided. For example, TE and TAE buffer contain EDTA which chelates the catalytic copper ions and thus decreases reaction kinetic and yield. Moreover, free thiols, like dithiothreitol (DTT) and -mercapto ethanol, can deteriorate or completely stop click reactions.

As it is the nature of click reactions, various groups can be attached to nucleic acids, not constricted to dyes. The only requirement is that you are using high quality reagents for your reactions and each reaction partner is soluble. Baseclick therefore provides a wide range of clickable groups, linkers and fluorescent dyes, fatty acids, etc. all tested in click reactions.