Journal of Chromatography B: Biomedical Sciences and Applications
ReviewMolecular imprinting: developments and applications in the analytical chemistry field
Introduction
The incessant need for new fast and efficient methods within the pharmaceutical and environmental sectors fuel research into better and more selective and sensitive analytical procedures. The increasing number of analytes requires fast method development and the increasing number of analyses requires fast methods amenable to automation. Trace analytical methods for complex matrices rely on efficient sample enrichment and selective assays. In the research into new analytical techniques molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have gained interest as a novel type of sorbent with attractive properties.
Imprinting of molecules occurs by the polymerisation of functional and cross-linking monomers in the presence of a templating ligand (Fig. 1) [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. The template-monomer system is chosen such that in solution the imprint molecule complexes one or several functional monomers, which then become spatially fixed in a solid polymer by the polymerisation reaction. The resultant imprints possess a steric (size and shape) and chemical (spatial arrangement of complementary functionality) memory for the template. Following removal of the imprint molecules these imprints enable the polymer selectively to rebind the imprint molecule from a mixture. Two principally different approaches to molecular imprinting may be distinguished. The non-covalent, or self-assembly, approach where complex formation is the result of non-covalent or metal ion coordination interactions. The covalent, or pre-organised, approach which employs reversible covalent bonds, usually involving a prior chemical synthesis step to link the monomers to the template. Whereas it is generally perceived that non-covalent imprinting is more flexible in the range of chemical functionalities which can be targeted and thus the range of templates that can be used, covalent imprinting yields better defined and more homogenous binding sites. The former is also much easier practically, since complex formation occur on mixing template and monomers in solution prior to polymerisation. Recent years have seen an increasing number of studies into the use of selective MIPs in the analysis of drugs and pollutants in biological and environmental samples (for reviews see [8], [9], [10]). Imprinted polymers have been used in several analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and capillary electrochromatography, solid phase extraction, ligand binding assay, and sensor technology. Since thorough discussions on each type of application can be found in the many excellent reviews cited throughout the text, in-depth presentations are beyond the scope of this review. Instead, the following discussion will concentrate on benefits and problems associated with the use of MIPs in analytical separations.
Section snippets
Solid phase extraction
The application of molecular imprinting in the analytical separation field most close to practical realisation is probably that of solid phase extraction, SPE. Several groups have already applied MIP-based solid phase extraction to biological and environmental samples and this technique may well be accepted generally in the not-to-distant future. The technique has variously been referred to as MIP-SPE or MISPE and has been reviewed recently [10], [11].
Following the first study on MIP-SPE
Preparation of imprints
A discussion on imprint preparation is beyond the scope of this overview, instead the reader is referred to the many excellent reviews published in recent years [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]. Some issues of particular interest for MIP applications in the analytical chemistry field have been discussed in a recent review [10]. The future is bound to see more of specialised development strategies for the optimisation of MIPs for each particular application area described above. Present issues
Conclusions and future outlook
The, at present, almost exponential growth in literature published each year is an indicator of the growing interest in molecular imprinting technology. In addition, molecular imprinting is now maturing from a phenomenon of interest to academics to a technique of potential practical interest to the analytical chemist. As an example, among the first to study the solid phase extraction application were several research groups within the pharmaceutical industry. This process will continue,
References (87)
- et al.
Trends Anal. Chem.
(1997) - et al.
J. Chromatogr. B
(1999) J. Chromatogr. B
(2000)- et al.
J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal.
(1997) - et al.
Trends Anal. Chem.
(1999) - et al.
Microchem. J.
(1999) - et al.
Anal. Chim. Acta
(1999) - et al.
J. Chromatogr. A
(1995) - et al.
J. Chromatogr. A
(1994) - et al.
Tetrahedron: Assymetry
(1996)
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
React. Polym.
J. Chromatogr. A
Anal. Chim. Acta
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Chromatogr. A
J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal.
Chem. Biol.
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl.
Adv. Polym. Sci.
Bio/Technology
Chirality
Clin. Chem.
Drug development assay approaches including molecular imprinting and biomarkers
Anal. Commun.
Anal. Chem.
Anal. Commun.
Anal. Commun.
Drug development assay approaches including molecular imprinting and biomarkers
Drug development assay approaches including molecular imprinting and biomarkers
Anal. Chem.
Anal. Chem.
Anal. Chem.
Chromatographia
Cited by (263)
Molecularly imprinted polymers toward herbicides – Progress in development and the current state of the art depending on the polymerization environment – Short review
2024, Journal of Environmental Chemical EngineeringA rational approach for 3D recognition and removal of L-asparagine via molecularly imprinted membranes
2023, Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical AnalysisMIP-based commercial materials: Molecularly-imprinted polymers for commercial application: potentials and barriers
2023, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs): Commercialization ProspectsPatents based on molecularly imprinted polymers: Exploring their commercial potential
2023, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs): Commercialization ProspectsInefficient removal of templates as a limitation for molecular imprinting of polymers
2023, Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs): Commercialization ProspectsImpedimetric ultrasensitive detection of trypsin based on hybrid aptamer-2DMIP using a glassy carbon electrode modified by nickel oxide nanoparticle
2022, Microchemical JournalCitation Excerpt :They form a three-dimensional polymer matrix with selective binding sites around the target molecule and create a platform that highly matches with stereochemical structure and functional groups of it. Already, various strategies for MIPs construction have been researched, such as chemical sensing [23], analytical separation, micro-extraction methods [24]. Since that MIPs are more acceptable for low molecular weight templates (MW<1000), imprinting them for bio-macromolecules such as proteins, enzymes, etc., is a challenge [25].