Preparation and utilization of molecularly imprinted silicas

Imprinted amorphous silicas tailored to adsorb selectively are presented. Their preparation–using molecular imprinting by the sol‐gel technique–is described and the influence of the conditions of preparation on the textures of the solids and on their molecular specificity discussed. Their degrees of enantiorecognition (using(–)‐menthol) are regiospecificity (using O‐cresol) are reported. The possibility of extension of this work to a large number of different molecular sizes and configurations is briefly considered.