Synthetic cinchonidine receptors obtained by cross-linking linear poly(methacrylic acid) derivatives as an alternative molecular imprinting technique.

A molecular imprinting approach to construct synthetic receptors was examined, wherein a linear pre-polymer bearing functional groups for intermolecular interaction with a given molecule is cross-linked in the presence of the molecule as a template, and subsequent removal of the template from the resultant network-polymer is expected to leave a complementary binding site. Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) derivatized with a vinylbenzyl group as a cross-linkable side chain was utilized as the pre-polymer for the molecular imprinting of a model template, (-)-cinchonidine. Selectivity of the imprinted polymer was evaluated by comparing the retentions of the original template, (-)-cinchonidine and its antipode (+)-cinchonine in chromatographic tests, exhibiting a selectivity factor up to 2.