Biomimetic catalysis at silicon centre using molecularly imprinted polymers

The first example of biomimetic siloxane bond formation catalyzed by molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) is reported. MIPs were prepared by free-radical polymerization and characterized via a combination of solid-state NMR, infrared spectroscopy, and electron microscopy studies. Methacrylic acid–based polymers with high functional monomer content were observed to catalyze the hydrolysis and condensation of a model monoalkoxysilane to a greater extent when compared with the corresponding blank (non-imprinted) materials and buffer control solutions, as judged by quantitative gas chromatography investigations. Moreover, the polymers were used as biomimetic catalysts to synthesize silica-MIP hybrids with a certain degree of control of the microstructure of the resulting composites.

Graphical abstractWe report the first case of the use of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for the biomimetic catalysis at silicon centre.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (79 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► First example of molecularly imprinted polymers-catalyzed siloxane bond formation. ► Methacrylic acid MIPs catalyzed the formation of model disiloxane faster than NIPs. ► MIPs were observed to precipitate amorphous particulate silica. ► MIPs as novel biomimetic catalysts in silicon chemistry.