title: Molecular crowding-based imprinted monolithic column for capillary electrochromatography.
abstract: Molecular crowding is a new approach to stabilizing binding sites and improving molecular recognition. In this work, the concept was applied to the preparation of imprinted monolithic columns for CEC. The imprinted monolithic column was synthesized using a mixture of d-zopiclone (d-ZOP)(template), methacrylic acid, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (molecular crowding agent). The resulting PMMA-based imprinted capillary was able to separate ZOP enantiomers in CEC mode. The resolution of enantiomer separation achieved on the d-ZOP-imprinted monolithic column was up to 2.09. Some polymerization factors, such as template-monomer molar ratio, functional monomer-cross-linker molar ratio and the composition of the porogen, on the imprinting effect of resulting molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) monolithic column were systematically investigated. Chromatographic parameters, including pH values, the content of acetonitrile and the salt concentration on chiral separation were also studied. The results indicated the addition of PMMA resulted in MIPs with superior retention properties and excellent selectivity for d-ZOP, as compared to the MIPs prepared without addition of the crowding-inducing agent. The results revealed that molecular crowding is an effective method for the preparation of a highly efficient MIP stationary phase for chiral separation in CEC.
authors.affiliation: Tianjin Key Laboratory on Technologies Enabling Development of Clinical Therapeutics and Diagnostics (Theranostics), School of Pharmacy, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
authors.forename: Hai-Yan
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Zong
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Zhao-Sheng
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yan-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000097:Acetonitriles / Q000737:chemistry; D053801:Capillary Electrochromatography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D054802:Molecular Imprinting / Q000379:methods*; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D000097:Acetonitriles; D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019904:Polymethyl Methacrylate; C032159:acetonitrile
keywords: CEC; Chiral separation; Molecular crowding; Molecularly imprinted polymer; Poly(methyl methacrylate)