Molecularly imprinted polymers:: new molecular recognition materials for selective solid-phase extraction of organic compounds

During the last few years molecularly imprinted polymers have appeared as new selective sorbents for solid-phase extraction of organic compounds in different samples. Molecular imprinting technology involves the preparation of a polymer with specific recognition sites for certain molecules. Once the polymer has been obtained, it can be used in solid-phase extraction protocols, where a careful selection of the most appropriate solvents to be used in the different steps (sample loading, washing and elution) is needed in order to extract the target analyte selectively. This review describes the state of the art of this methodology, including the preparation of imprinted polymers, a process description for molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction, as well as more recent applications. It is concluded that molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction is a powerful tool to selectively isolate certain analytes, and future advances are to be expected in order to widen the field of application.