Abstract: The present invention relates to labeling kits containing novel non-natural nucleotide monomers and to methods of making and using such compounds. The invention further relates to a method of detecting the presence of a nucleic acid, e.g., RNA, of interest in a sample, the method having the following steps: providing the sample; ligating a nucleic acid of interest with a labeling reagent according to the instant invention; providing a nucleic acid array having probes directed to the nucleic acid of interest; hybridizing the labeled nucleic acid fragments to said nucleic acid array; and determining the extent of hybridization to said probes to determine the presence of the nucleic acid of interest.