CHROMATOGRAPHIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A MOLECULARLY IMPRINTED POLYMER BINDING THEOPHYLLINE IN AQUEOUS BUFFERS

A theophylline-binding polymer was prepared utilizing the technique of non-covalent molecular imprinting polymerization. The polymer obtaine d was packed in a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column , and the molecular recognition mechanism regulating the binding behav ior was studied by frontal and zonal chromatography, determining the e ffects of pH and methanol on the affinity constant and concentration o f the binding sites. The values of binding capacity found show the abi lity of the imprinted polymer to bind theophylline in aqueous buffer, even if with reduced affinity with respect to the values reported in l iterature for the same polymer in an organic medium. Hydrogen bonding was confirmed as leading interaction in the recognition mechanism. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.