Free screening tool
Compound Sticking Checker
Will your compound bind to plastic? Enter a compound name or SMILES. We look up its computed logP in PubChem and place it in a qualitative band for loss to plastic labware, with the published sources behind it.
Screening estimate only. Names and SMILES are looked up in PubChem (NIH). Nothing you enter is sent to analytics.
How the bands work
The band starts from PubChem's computed XLogP3. Your answers then move it one step: a protein-free solution at low concentration moves it up, protein in the solution moves it down. The plate material you use is context only.
Higher
Computed logP of 3.0 or more, or a basic drug, peptide or lipopeptide (your answer to question 1).
Moderate
Computed logP from 1.5 up to 3.0.
Lower
Computed logP below 1.5.
Unknown
PubChem has no computed logP for the compound.
What this tool is not
- Not a measurement. It never outputs a percent loss.
- Not a pKa or charge predictor. PubChem's formal charge is not the charge at pH 7.4, so only your answer to question 1 flags a basic compound.
- Not a claim about Arctic White plates. Glass coating can reduce loss for many hydrophobic compounds; it does not remove it, and results depend on the compound and conditions.
This is a screening estimate based on published trends, not a measurement. Test recovery in your assay. Arctic White has not published recovery data for its plates.
FAQ
Why do compounds stick to plastic plates?
Hydrophobic interactions, plus charge for basic drugs on polystyrene.
- Palmgren JJ et al. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2006;64:369-378. doi:10.1016/j.ejpb.2006.06.005
- Fukazawa T et al. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2010;61:329-333. doi:10.1016/j.vascn.2009.12.005
Does logP predict it?
It is the most used predictor, and some studies report a log Kow above 3 threshold. It misses some compounds, and solution and material matter.
- Riedl J, Altenburger R. Chemosphere 2007;67:2210-2220. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.12.022
- Fischer FC et al. Environ Sci Technol 2018;52:13511-13522. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b04246
- Fukazawa T et al. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2010;61:329-333. doi:10.1016/j.vascn.2009.12.005
- Chlebowski AC et al. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016;57:30-38. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2016.05.001
Does protein in the solution help?
In published tests, serum or albumin reduced loss.
- Fischer FC et al. Environ Sci Technol 2018;52:13511-13522. doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b04246
- Song D et al. J Pharm Sci 1996;85:29-31. doi:10.1021/js950286j
- Alimohammadi M et al. Int J Mol Sci 2026;27(12):5547. doi:10.3390/ijms27125547
Is glass always better?
No. Some compounds are lost to glass too.
- Song D et al. J Pharm Sci 1996;85:29-31. doi:10.1021/js950286j
- Chlebowski AC et al. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016;57:30-38. doi:10.1016/j.ntt.2016.05.001
Where does the data come from?
Computed properties come from PubChem (NIH National Library of Medicine). The risk bands come from the studies listed.
Working with a compound that sticks?
Glass coated plates give each well a glass contact surface instead of bare plastic. See the formats and request a quote.