Evaluation of molecularly imprinted anion-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s by multi-phase dispersive extraction of flavonoids from plant

Molecularly imprinted anion-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s (MAPILs) were prepared by radical polymerization for the multi-phase dispersive extraction (MPDE) of flavonoids from plants. Poly(ionic liquid)s were functionalized with different anions via anion metathesis to enhance their separation efficiency, called anion-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s (APILs). A molecularly imprinting technique was introduced to produce specific recognition sites by forming complexes between the template molecules and anion-functionalized ionic liquid monomers to reduce the interactions with the interference substances and increase the selectivity. Multi-phase dispersive extraction (MPDE) was applied for separation instead of the traditional solid phase extraction method. The target compounds were first extracted by three-phase (sample–solvent–sorbent) dispersive extraction and cleaned up after removing the sample matrix. This method significantly decrease in the interference and analysis cost. A suitable sorbent for MPDE could be identified based on the adsorption behaviors of flavonoids on different MAPILs. The mean recovery yields of quercitrin, myricetin, and amentoflavone from Chamaecyparis obtusa under the optimized conditions were 88.07, 93.59, and 95.13%. This is a promising method for the extraction, separation and determination of flavonoids or other polyphenolic compounds from natural and other sources.

► Poly(ionic liquid)s with different functional anions were developed.
► The anion-functionalized poly(ionic liquid)s were achieved anion metathesis.
► The anion-functionalized polymers were upgraded with molecularly imprinting.
► Multi-phase dispersive extraction was developed for the extraction and clean-up.