Advances and challenges in the design and synthesis of molecularly imprinted microspheres

This chapter reviews strategies in polymer design and synthesis applicable to molecularly imprinted nano/microparticulates, paying particular attention to unconventional synthetic routes and modifications such as alternative initiation processes, “greener” porogens, alternative cross-linkers, and custom-designed monomers. The difficulty in assessing the binding performance of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) microspheres associated with changes in particle size owing to template effect is briefly discussed. Core cross-linked star polymers, accessible via modern polymer synthetic routes (e.g., controlled radical polymerization), are introduced as a way forward for applications that require processable/soluble MIP materials