A novel extraction device for efficient clean-up of molecularly imprinted polymers

For the efficient usage of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with minimal template leaching, a comprehensive clean-up of the synthesized polymer particles is of critical importance. Predominantly the template molecules, and also the unreacted functional monomer and cross-linker should be exhaustively removed for ensuring reliable results, in particular if MIPs are used within quantitative analytical applications such as e. g., in binding assays or in solid phase extraction. However, an exhaustive clean-up is considered a tedious procedure, which is time-consuming and requires substantial amounts of extraction solvent. In order to significantly improve the efficiency of this crucial step during MIP synthesis, a novel extractor device was developed, which facilitates the rapid and efficient clean-up of particulate polymer matrices, and which is particularly tailored toward the extraction of template molecules from imprinted polymer particles. Compared to commonly applied cleaning procedures such as Soxhlet extraction or HPLC extraction methods, this device offers significant advantages including e. g., the usage of solvent mixtures, temperature-controlled extraction conditions, improved kinetics, and continuous control of the extraction process. First results demonstrating the functionality of the device are discussed for the extraction of molecularly imprinted polymers against the radio contrast agent iohexol.