Molecularly imprinted polymers: concept and applications

Molecularly imprinted polymers : concept and applications Moleculaly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are crosslinked polymer networks where cavities specific for a particular molecule have been created. The affinity between MIPs and their guest molecules is of the same kind as that observed between antibodies and antigens or between enzymes and substrates in biological systems. This article reviews the various preparation methods of MIPs, and discusses recent applications in chromatographic separations, immunoassays, sensors, screening of combinatorial libraries and in catalysis and organic synthesis.