Choice of the functional monomer of molecularly imprinted polymers: Does it rely on strong acid-base or hydrogen bonding interactions?

The choice of the functional monomer is a key point in design molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) because its directional interactions with template molecules are required to form molecular imprints acting as selective recognition sites for adsorption. Methacrylic acid (MAA) has very often been employed imprinting basic molecules. Strong acid-base lead H+ transfer and weak hydrogen bonding between products reaction. weakly acidic acrylamide (AA) shown stronger hydrogen-bonding histamine (HA) than MAA. Interactions HA monomers have investigated by means 1H NMR spectroscopy yielding stoichiometry complexation constants their complex species. Adsorption isotherms both MAA- AA-based MIPs modeling showed higher binding MIP.