Synthesis and Characterization of Functional Methacrylate Copolymers and Their Application in Molecular Imprinting

Abstract

Novel molecularly imprinted polymer systems have been designed that incorporate in a preformed polymer both specific recognition functions and cross-linkable groups. Copolymers of 2-methacryloylethyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid P(MAEMA-co-MAA) with different compositions have been synthesized and characterized. The living free radical polymerization of 2-(trimethylsilyloxy)ethyl methacrylate (HEMA-TMS) and tert-butyl methacrylate (tBMA) with different monomer feed ratios gives a series of random copolymers. These materials can then be further functionalized by methacryloylation of the pendant hydroxyl group and acid hydrolysis of tert-butyl groups. The resultant copolymers were characterized by 1H NMR, FT-IR, DSC, and TGA. These copolymers can then be imprinted with a variety of chemical templates possessing complementary functionalities, forming strong noncovalent and specific binding interactions. These polymer−template matrices can then be readily cross-linked by appropriate posttreatment, such a...