Adduktioon

Adduktioon, or adduction, refers to the process by which two or more molecules join to form a single species called an adduct. The term is used across chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to describe attachment or combination that results in a new chemical entity.

Adducts can be covalent or non-covalent. Covalent adducts form when a new chemical bond is created between the reacting partners, and they can be reversible or irreversible depending on the bond strength and reaction conditions. Examples include electrophilic additions to unsaturated substrates, nucleophilic additions to carbonyl groups, or radical additions. In biology and medicine, covalent drug–target adducts and DNA adducts arise from reactive metabolites or drugs binding to biomolecules, which can influence efficacy and toxicity.

Non-covalent adducts are molecular complexes held together by weaker interactions such as hydrogen bonds, electrostatic forces, or coordination bonds. These adducts are often transient and play roles in signaling, catalysis, and structural assembly. In analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry, adduct formation with solvents or counterions (for example, sodium or ammonium adducts) can affect detection and interpretation of spectra.

In research and industry, adduktioon is important for understanding reaction mechanisms, designing prodrugs or conjugates, and assessing the toxicological impact of reactive species. The study of adducts, including adductomics, helps reveal how chemicals interact with biological systems and materials.