biostudies-literatureForshaw SEngineering and Physical Sciences Research Council36154-36161https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9074932biostudies-literatureUnknown9(62)We report the synthesis of a bipyridyl reagent containing a strained alkyne, which significantly restricts its flexibility. Upon strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) with an azide, which does not require a Cu catalyst, the structure becomes significantly more flexible and an increase in fluorescence is observed. Upon addition of Zn(ii), the fluorescence is enhanced further. The reagent has the potential to act as a fluorescent labelling agent with azide-containing substrates, including biological molecules.RSC advancesA strained alkyne-containing bipyridine reagent; synthesis, reactivity and fluorescence properties.PMC9074932EP/M006670/11938254Wills MForshaw SChmel NPKnighton RCParker JSReber JfalseA strained alkyne-containing bipyridine reagent; synthesis, reactivity and fluorescence properties.We report the synthesis of a bipyridyl reagent containing a strained alkyne, which significantly restricts its flexibility. Upon strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) with an azide, which does not require a Cu catalyst, the structure becomes significantly more flexible and an increase in fluorescence is observed. Upon addition of Zn(ii), the fluorescence is enhanced further. The reagent has the potential to act as a fluorescent labelling agent with azide-containing substrates, including biological molecules.2019-01-01T00:00:00Z2019 Nov2025-04-26T04:41:50.256Z2025-04-06T11:13:17.895ZS-EPMC90749323554062310.1039/c9ra06866j