Molecularly imprinted polymers by reversible chain transfer catalysed polymerization

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are tailor-made biomimetic receptors obtained by polymerization in the presence of molecular templates. They contain binding sites for target molecules with affinities and specificities on a par with those of antibodies, hormone receptors or enzymes. Mainly synthesized via radical polymerization of vinyl monomers, MIPs have also recently taken advantage of the introduction of modern methods of controlled/living radical polymerization (CRPs). In this paper, we report for the first time the use for MIP synthesis of a recently developed CRP method based on an iodide-transfer polymerization with a reversible activation mechanism, referred to as Reversible chain-Transfer Catalysed Polymerization (RTCP). Using S-propranolol as model template, we show that this technique is a convenient method for the synthesis of MIPs, both in the format of bulk polymers and nanoparticles, yielding polymers with reactive chain ends for an easy surface functionalization.