Raman spectroscopy of molecular imprinted polymers

Molecularly imprinted polymers have been prepared using triazine, BOC-phenylalanine and 2,2'-bipyridyl as templates. The amount of template incorporated in the polymers was varied, with the highest template concentration corresponding to a monomer: template ratio of 16:1 and the lowest concentration corresponding to a ratio of 65:1. Raman spectra of the imprinted polymers were obtained and compared with the spectrum of a similar polymer prepared in the absence of template. Raman spectroscopy has been successfully demonstrated as a useful tool to show the presence of the template and the kinetics of binding and removal of the imprinted polymer and the template.