The effect of the crosslinking agent on the performance of propranolol imprinted polymers

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) of propranolol were synthesized by bulk polymerization. Methacrylic acid (MAA) was selected as the functional monomer and symmetrical dimethacrylate crosslinkers of different length between the double bound as well as an asymmetrical crosslinker containing an allylic and a methacrylic double bond were investigated in this study. The rebinding experiments were carried by radioligand experiments in presence of [3H]-(S)-propranolol. The microstructure of MIPs (morphology, crosslinking density and surface properties) were analysed by B.E.T. surface, SEM images and swelling experiments. MIPs containing 1,6 hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA) and allyl methacrylate (AMA) improved the binding results of MIPs having the most common crosslinking agent ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA). In addition, methyl methacrylate (MMA) was included in the formulation to decrease the crosslinking density. The binding specificity decreased except for MIPs containing AMA as crosslinking agent, which showed a similar specificity to MIPs without MMA.