The Use of Immobilized Templates—A New Approach in Molecular Imprinting

By using porous silica gel as a solid support, template molecules can be immobilized to give a novel approach to molecular imprinting in polymers. Polymerizable, functional monomers assemble around a template (such as theophylline, see picture). Following polymerization, this support is sacrificed by dissolving in HF. The remaining polymer shows a specific binding capacity for theophylline, but not for related compounds, such as theobromine and caffeine. All binding sites are uniformly oriented and located at the surface of the polymer.