Molecular imprinted polymer

A molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) is a polymer that was formed in the presence of a molecule that is extracted afterwards, thus leaving complementary cavities behind. These polymers show a certain chemical affinity for the original molecule and can be used to fabricate sensors, catalysis or for separation methods. The functional mechanism is similar to antibodies or enzymes.

Additional recommended knowledge

How to ensure accurate weighing results every day?

What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Properties

The target molecule should have one or more functional groups and should not be polymerisable or retard the polymerisation process.

History

The first imprinted material were silicon dioxide based and the first experimental use of these material for separation of dyes goes back to the 1940s.

Imprinting process

• Mixing of
  • Target molecule
  • Polymer
• Formation of prepolymerisation complex: (non-)covalent bonds: Hydrogen bonds, Van der Waals bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, pi-pi interactions
• Polymerisation
  • Crosslinker (e.g. EGDM, p-divinylbenzene)
  • Initiator (e.g. AIBN)
  • Porogen (apolar, non-protogenic solvent)
• Chemical extraction of target molecule and hydrolysis of covalent bonds

See also

• molecular recognition
• molecular imprinting

References

• G. Vlatakis, L. I. Andersson, R. Müller, K. Mosbach (1993). "Drug assay using antibody mimics made by molecular imprinting". Nature 361: 645 - 647. doi:10.1038/361645a0.
• Frank H. Dickey (1949). "The Preparation of Specific Adsorbents". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 35: 227-229. doi:10.1073/pnas.35.5.227.
• Simon, Ryan; Collins, Melissa E.; Spivak, David A. (2007). "Shape selectivity versus functional group pre-organization in molecularly imprinted polymers.". Analytica Chimica Acta 591(1): 7-16. doi:10.1016/j.aca.2006.12.045.
• C. Alexander , H. S. Andersson, L. I. Andersson, R. J. Ansell, N. Kirsch, I. A. Nicholls, J. O’Mahony, M. J. Whitcombe (2006). "Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years up to and including 2003". Journal Molecular Recognition 19: 106–180. doi:10.1002/jmr.760.