Characteristic and Molecular Recognition Mechanism of Theophylline Monolithic Molecularly Imprinted Polymer

Abstract

A monolithic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with specific recognition ability for theophylline was prepared by in‐situ therm polymerization, using acrylamide as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross‐linking agent, toluene and dodecanol as porogenic solvents and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. Scanning electron microscopy and an accelerated surface area and porosimetry system were used to identify the structural features of the MIP. The results show that the large through‐pore structure allows mobile phase to flow through the MIP column with a low back pressure, and the other pores lead to the molecular recognition. Some chromatographic conditions such as the composition of the mobile phase, flow rate, and temperature were characterized and illustrated by a homologous series of xanthine derivatives, theophylline and caffeine. Effects of molecular recognition were also discussed and the possible recognition mechanisms were hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions between the theophylline molecule and the MIP.

Keywords:

• Monolithic column
• Molecularly imprinting polymer
• In‐situ polymerization
• Theophylline

Acknowledgment

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the center for Advanced Bioseparation Technology, Inha University.