Synthesis and evaluation of a molecularly imprinted polymer selective to 2,4,6-trichloroanisole

In the wine industry 2,4,6-trichloroanisole (TCA) has been identified as the primary contaminant responsible for 'cork taint'. A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) selective for TCA was prepared in three porogens (hexane, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane) of varying polarities using non-covalent molecular imprinting techniques. Target rebinding to the MIP was found to be most effective in its porogenic solvent and highest in dichloromethane (imprinting factor=3.65). Competitive binding assays performed against a range of close structural analogues demonstrated a preference for the target molecule.