Polymeric receptors for the recognition of folic acid and related compounds via substructure imprinting

A range of 2-acrylamidopyridines, showing subtle differences in solution binding toward carboxylic acids, has been investigated as functional monomers in molecular imprinting. Imprinting of N-Z-L-glutamic acid with one such monomer is shown to be effective in the creation of a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with recognition properties for its template and also for larger molecules containing glutamic acid residues. In comparison to a MIP prepared via a more "traditional" approach, the new polymeric receptors exhibit reduced nonspecific binding. The new receptors are compared with previously reported urea-based receptors targeting the glutamic acid residue and receptors targeting the pteridine substructure of folic acid.