NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. is at the forefront of supplying reagents that define the cutting edge of chemical synthesis. In the realm of oligonucleotide synthesis, the choice of activator critically impacts the success of the process. For decades, tetrazole has been the standard, but a new contender, 4,5-Dicyanoimidazole (DCI), is rapidly gaining prominence due to its superior performance characteristics. This article provides a comparative look at DCI and tetrazole, emphasizing why DCI is revolutionizing enhanced oligonucleotide synthesis.

The fundamental goal in oligonucleotide synthesis is to sequentially add nucleotide units to a growing chain with maximum efficiency and minimal error. Activators are indispensable for this process, as they promote the rapid coupling of phosphoramidite monomers. Tetrazole, a weakly acidic heterocyclic compound, has historically served this purpose effectively. It activates the phosphoramidite by protonation, creating an intermediate that reacts with the 5'-hydroxyl group of the growing chain.

However, tetrazole is not without its limitations. Its acidity, while necessary for activation, can sometimes be too high, leading to undesired side reactions. One significant issue is the premature removal of acid-labile protecting groups, such as the trityl protecting group, which can result in the formation of byproducts like dimers. These impurities complicate purification and reduce the overall yield of the desired product in DNA synthesis and RNA synthesis.

DCI offers a compelling alternative by addressing these shortcomings. Chemically, DCI is a more potent nucleophile than tetrazole and possesses a slightly lower acidity. This combination is key to its superior performance. The enhanced nucleophilicity of DCI accelerates the rate-limiting step of the coupling reaction, leading to faster and more complete addition of nucleotides. This means higher yields of full-length oligonucleotides, a critical advantage for any researcher engaged in DCI oligonucleotide synthesis.

Furthermore, DCI's reduced acidity is a significant benefit. By being less prone to causing premature deprotection, DCI helps maintain the integrity of protecting groups on the oligonucleotide chain, leading to cleaner reaction products and simplified purification. This is particularly important in RNA synthesis, where the 2'-hydroxyl protection adds complexity. The ability of DCI to achieve high yields and purity makes it a preferred choice for demanding applications.

NINGBO INNO PHARMCHEM CO.,LTD. is proud to supply DCI, recognizing its role in advancing scientific research. The transition from tetrazole to DCI represents a significant leap forward in achieving more robust, efficient, and higher-yielding oligonucleotide synthesis. For laboratories aiming to optimize their chemical synthesis protocols and obtain superior results, investing in advanced reagents like DCI is a strategic choice that promises to accelerate discovery and development in molecular biology and beyond.