Tetrazine
Tetrazine refers to a family of heterocyclic compounds containing a six-membered ring in which four nitrogen atoms occupy alternating positions, with the parent compound commonly referred to as 1,2,4,5-tetrazine. The core ring is aromatic and highly electron-deficient, and many derivatives are accessible by substituting carbon-based groups onto the ring. Substituents modulate properties such as reactivity, stability, and solubility, enabling a range of practical applications.
A defining feature of tetrazines is their reactivity in inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) cycloadditions. They react
Synthesis and availability of tetrazines typically involve constructing the ring from suitable precursors such as diaminomaleonitrile
Applications extend beyond bioorthogonal labeling to polymer science, materials chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. Tetrazines appear in
Safety considerations depend on the specific derivative; some tetrazine compounds can be sensitive to heat, shock,