Molecular imprinting targeted for α-tocopherol by calix[4]resorcarenes derivative in membrane scaffold prepared by phase inversion

A molecular imprinting polymer targeted to α-tocopherol (α-Toc) was developed by polymer membrane scaffold method containing calix[4]resorcarenes and showing multiple non-covalent interactions with the template. A host–guest complex was fixed in a scaffold polymer membrane consisting of polysulfone. Phase inversion of the polymer solution containing the host–guest complex was carried out from a NMP solution into water. After the membrane was formed, removal of the template was performed by treating with MeOH/AcOH solution. It was observed that the amount of α-Toc bound to the imprinted and non-imprinted membranes in methanol/water (2:1, v/v%) was 41.1 ± 0.9 and 22.2 ± 1.1 μmol/g-membrane, respectively. Relative to the α-Toc analogues, 2-napthol (2-Nap), permselective experiments were achieved with a separation factor of 14.5 for α-Toc retained.