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4,5‑Dicyanoimidazole (DCI, C₅H₂N₄, CAS 1122‑28‑7) is a heterocyclic dinitrile compound that combines the 4,5‑positions of an imidazole core with two highly reactive cyano groups. With a molecular weight of 118.10 g/mol, DCI appears as a white to off‑white crystalline powder with a melting point of 168–175 °C, and it exhibits good solubility in common organic solvents such as acetonitrile, DMSO, DMF and methanol.

The two cyano substituents dramatically increase the electron‑withdrawing character of the imidazole ring, giving DCI superior nucleophilicity compared to the classic activator 1H‑tetrazole. This chemical property makes DCI one of the most effective activators for nucleoside phosphoramidite coupling in solid‑phase DNA and RNA synthesis. As an activator, DCI forms a highly reactive intermediate that drastically accelerates the coupling of phosphoramidites to the 5’‑hydroxyl group of a growing oligonucleotide chain. Studies have confirmed that DCI cuts the coupling time in half – the reaction completes roughly twice as fast as with 1H‑tetrazole – while maintaining excellent coupling yields. For longer RNA chains, switching to DCI has a clear advantage, enabling the synthesis of >40mer sequences that are otherwise difficult to access using slower activators.

DCI’s role in nucleic acid chemistry is not limited to classical solid‑phase synthesis. It is also used to synthesise new nucleoside phosphoramidites, to construct novel nucleoside analogues, and to prepare complex building blocks such as 5’‑O‑(4,4’‑dimethoxytrityl)‑2’‑deoxythymidine 3’‑O‑(2‑cyanoethyl N,N‑diisopropylphosphoramidite) and 4,5‑di(amidoximyl)imidazole [4,5‑(DAO)Im]. In addition, DCI is supplied as a ready‑to‑use 0.25 M, 0.5 M or 0.7 M solution in anhydrous acetonitrile, simplifying workflow for high‑throughput automated DNA synthesisers. The compound is also a valuable biochemical reagent for life science research and can be used as a sulfonylation reagent in advanced organic synthesis and drug discovery.

The growth of the DNA synthesis market directly supports the demand for DCI. The global DNA synthesis market was valued at approximately USD 4.1–4.4 billion in 2023‑2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18–20 % towards 2032, driven by demand for personalised medicine, gene therapy, and large‑scale oligonucleotide libraries. The oligonucleotide synthesis market alone is also expanding rapidly, with estimates predicting growth from USD 3.9 billion in 2024 to USD 8.1 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 11.2 %.

Beyond nucleic acid chemistry, 4,5‑dicyanoimidazole is widely used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceutical active ingredients. The compound is a key building block for preparing kinase inhibitors and antiviral agents, and it is used in the synthesis of peptide drugs and bioactive molecules. For medicinal chemists, DCI is a versatile platform for constructing drug‑like compound libraries, especially in fragment‑based drug discovery (FBDD), because the two cyano groups serve as orthogonal handles for further functionalisation. It is also commonly used as a peptide coupling reagent, where it acts as an alternative to traditional carbodiimides in solid‑phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). In organic synthesis, the same dual‑cyano substitution makes it a powerful precursor for building N‑containing heterocycles.

The compound’s ability to coordinate with transition metals has made it a valuable ligand precursor for metal‑organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers. Because the two cyano groups are positioned in a rigid planar configuration, DCI can form stable complexes with metals such as copper, cobalt and nickel. These DCI‑derived MOFs and coordination polymers are actively being explored for gas storage, gas separation and heterogeneous catalysis. In polymer chemistry, 4,5‑dicyanoimidazole serves as a monomer for the preparation of high‑performance resins with excellent thermal stability, which can withstand temperatures of up to 200 °C, making them suitable for demanding industrial coatings and advanced composite materials. The compound is also used in the synthesis of specialty dyes and as a precursor for certain agrochemical intermediates.

The major international suppliers of 4,5‑dicyanoimidazole include Sigma‑Aldrich (≥99.0 %, reversed phase HPLC), TCI Chemicals (>98.0 % HPLC/Total Nitrogen), Thermo Fisher Scientific (Alfa Aesar, 98+ %), Biozol, BOC Sciences, Chem‑Impex, Biosynth, and VWR. The compound is available in research quantities (1 g, 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 100 g, 500 g) and industrial bulk scales (1 kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg). Pre‑prepared DCI activator solutions in anhydrous acetonitrile are also offered by major reagent manufacturers, providing “ready‑to‑use” formats for high‑throughput synthesis. In recent years, Chinese manufacturers have developed scalable, high‑yield production processes for DCI, with dedicated production lines for imidazole derivatives and multi‑metric‑ton annual capacities, supplying high‑purity material to both domestic and export markets.

It is worth noting that 4,5‑dicyanoimidazole is also a suitable reference standard for HPLC‑UV method development and validation. The compound can be used as a calibration standard when quantifying imidazole‑based impurities in pharmaceutical ingredients or during quality control release testing of custom‑synthesised building blocks.

The compound should be stored under recommended conditions – powder is stable for up to three years at –20 °C and for up to two years at 4 °C; stock solutions are stable for up to six months at –80 °C and for up to one month at –20 °C. Protect from light, moisture and strong oxidisers. Under ambient conditions, the material remains stable for a few days during routine shipping and customs clearance. The substance is classified as toxic if swallowed, in contact with skin or if inhaled (H301+H311+H331), and causes skin and eye irritation. It also carries a risk of serious eye damage (H318). Safety data sheets are available, and the compound is subject to REACH regulations in the European Union. In the United States, it is regulated under TSCA as a research chemical; for pharmaceutical use, cGMP guidelines (21 CFR Parts 210/211) apply. In China, the compound is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC), and the customs HS codes are 2933.29‑000 (Japan export) and 2934.99.9001 (for imports).

Looking ahead, demand for 4,5‑dicyanoimidazole will be driven by four trends: (1) the continued expansion of the global DNA/RNA synthesis market, fuelled by personalised medicine, gene editing, and synthetic biology; (2) the ongoing adoption of DCI as the preferred phosphoramidite activator for fast coupling in oligonucleotide manufacturing; (3) the sustained need for high‑purity heterocyclic intermediates in antiviral drug discovery, peptide API manufacturing, and MOF research; and (4) the rapid growth of Asian CROs and CDMOs that supply specialised imidazole derivatives to global pharmaceutical and biotechnology customers. Companies that secure high‑purity (≥99 %) production, maintain rigorous impurity documentation for regulatory filings, and build long‑term supply partnerships with oligonucleotide manufacturers, API developers and research institutions will be well positioned to benefit from this expanding market.

Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)

As a world‑leading supplier of organic chemicals, pharmaceutical intermediates and heterocyclic building blocks, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the oligonucleotide synthesis, drug discovery and fine chemical industries. Relying on core advantages in heterocyclic synthesis, purification and rigorous quality assurance, we provide high‑quality 4,5‑Dicyanoimidazole (DCI, CAS 1122‑28‑7) to global customers.

1. Technical Advantages

High Purity & Consistency: Our product achieves purity ≥98‑99 % (HPLC/GC), white to off‑white crystalline powder, molecular weight 118.10 g/mol, melting point 168‑175 °C, MDL MFCD00005194.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents (<0.5 % total), heavy metals (≤10 ppm, ICH Q3D compliant), and related substances by HPLC‑UV ensures high synthetic performance.
Pharmaceutical‑Grade Quality: The compound is tested for full ICH Q3C (residual solvents), ICH Q3D (heavy metals) and USP residual solvents, providing full traceability to primary analytical standards.
Batch‑to‑Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (HPLC, GC, NMR, LC‑MS, heavy metals by ICP‑MS, residual solvents by GC‑headspace, Karl Fischer titration) guarantees consistent quality and reproducible yields across all production lots.

2. Product Advantages

Fast‑Activating DNA/RNA Synthesis Activator: DCI is the preferred nucleoside phosphoramidite activator that halves coupling time compared to 1H‑tetrazole, making it the activator of choice for high‑throughput and long‑chain oligonucleotide manufacturing.
Versatile Pharmaceutical Intermediate: Used as a key building block for antiviral APIs, kinase inhibitors, peptide coupling reagents, and custom heterocyclic drug candidates.
Flexible Packaging Options: 1 g, 5 g, 10 g, 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 500 g, 1 kg glass bottles/HDPE containers (R&D/pilot); 5 kg, 10 kg, 25 kg, 50 kg fibre drums (industrial). Ready‑to‑use DCI activator solutions in anhydrous acetonitrile (0.25 M, 0.5 M, 0.7 M) are also available. Full custom packaging and custom concentration solutions available.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi‑metric‑ton range, with dedicated temperature‑controlled warehousing (‑20 °C or 4 °C, dry, light‑protected, sealed containers) and just‑in‑time delivery capabilities.

3. Application Fields

Oligonucleotide Synthesis: High‑throughput DNA and RNA synthesis, custom oligo manufacturing, long‑chain oligonucleotides (>40‑mer), nucleoside phosphoramidite activation, preparation of modified nucleosides and therapeutic oligonucleotides (antisense, siRNA, aptamers).
Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Antiviral APIs (nucleoside analogues), kinase inhibitors, peptide coupling reagents, Fmoc/t‑Bu SPPS building blocks, anti‑cancer drug candidates.
Fragment‑Based Drug Discovery (FBDD): Privileged heterocyclic fragment for hit‑to‑lead optimisation, SAR campaigns, and high‑throughput screening (HTS) library production.
Material Science & MOFs: Metal‑organic framework (MOF) ligand precursors, coordination polymers, high‑temperature resistant resins, gas storage and separation materials.
Peptide Synthesis: Alternative to carbodiimides in solid‑phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), peptide bond formation, custom peptide API manufacturing.
Agrochemical Intermediates: Synthesis of heterocyclic herbicides and pesticides.

4. Service Support

Our technical team provides full impurity profiling (HPLC/GC purity, residual solvents by GC‑headspace, heavy metals by ICP‑MS, LC‑MS identity confirmation), custom purification to any desired specification, and complete regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, REACH compliance, TSCA certification, DMF support for pharmaceutical customers). We also offer custom synthesis of imidazole derivatives, cold‑chain logistics, and just‑in‑time delivery.

5. Why Choose XinChem

Professionalism: 20 + years in the pharmaceutical intermediate, heterocyclic chemistry and fine chemical industries.
Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, packaging sizes, concentration requirements and regulatory documentation needs.
Cost‑effectiveness: High purity at competitive industrial pricing.

Post time: Jun-07-2026

The Fast‑Acting Activator for Oligonucleotide Synthesis, Drug Discovery & High‑Purity Peptide Coupling: 4,5-Dicyanoimidazole (DCI, CAS 1122-28-7)