An evaluation of the extent of self-assembly of functional monomer-tem
plate complexes in molecularly imprinted polymer prepolymerization mix
tures has been performed. The results provide general insights into th
e nature of the prepolymerization self-assembly phase. Furthermore, th
e method allows for the estimation of the number of medium-to high-aff
inity recognition sites in the product polymer and a means for the rap
id evaluation of molecular imprinting systems. (C) 1997 Academic Press
.