derivants

Derivants (also called derivatants) is a term used in chemistry to denote substances that react with a target molecule to form a derivative. The process is called derivatization, and the resulting derivative may differ in properties such as volatility, stability, polarity, or detectability.

In analytical chemistry, derivants are employed to improve measurement of compounds that are difficult to detect directly. Derivatization can increase volatility for gas chromatography, improve UV or fluorescence detectability, or enhance ionization in mass spectrometry. Typical targets include amino acids, sugars, carbonyls, and alcohols. Reagents used as derivants range from silylating agents (for example BSTFA) to acylating reagents, from chromogenic or fluorogenic reagents (such as DNPH for carbonyls or dansyl chloride for amines) to reagent mixtures that form stable derivatives.

In medicinal and synthetic chemistry, derivants are reagents or starting materials used to convert a parent molecule into a derivative. Studying derivatives helps in structure-activity relationships and in modifying pharmacokinetic properties. Derivatization is also used to protect functional groups during multi-step synthesis.

The term derivants is less commonly used in modern literature, with derivatization agents or derivatization reagents often preferred. Nonetheless, the concept remains central to analytical methods and chemical modification workflows.

See also: Derivatization, Derivative, Derivatization reagents.