Click Analytical Chemistry Index as a novel concept and framework, supported with open source software to assess analytical methods

Abstract

Click analytical chemistry (CAC) is a novel approach inspired by the principles of click chemistry, emphasizing simplicity, efficiency, and reliability. While click chemistry revolutionized synthetic methods, CAC aims to enhance chemical analysis by providing a framework for method assessment from a different perspective, focusing on improving the practicality and applicability of analytical techniques. In this work, we present the Click Analytical Chemistry Index (CACI) as a practical and user-friendly tool that provides both a metric and software solution for evaluating analytical methods. The software is available as an open source at bit.ly/CACI2025. The CACI system allows for objective and unbiased comparisons between techniques, encouraging the development of methods that are easier to implement without sacrificing performance. By promoting simplicity and practicality in method design, CACI supports the development of analytical procedures that not only meet rigorous performance standards but also simplify the analytical process. This work explores the principles and methodology of CAC and presents case studies that demonstrate its practical applications in advancing chemical analysis towards more efficient method development and evaluation.