Preparation and characterization of novel molecularly imprinted polymers based on thiourea receptors for nitrocompounds recognition

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the recognition of nitro derivatives are prepared from three different (thio)urea-bearing functional monomers. The binding capability of the polymers is characterized by a batch binding experiment. The imprinting factors and affinity constants (K) of the imprinted polymers exhibit the same tendency as the binding constants (Ka) of the functional monomers to the target substance in solution. Not only nitrofurantoin is efficiently bound by these MIPs but also a broad spectrum of other nitro compounds is bound with at the intermediate level, addressing that these (thio)urea-based monomers can be utilized to prepare a family of MIPs for various nitro compounds, which can be applied as recognition elements in separation and analytical application.