Development of an aspartic acid-based cross-linking monomer for improved bioseparations

Improved specificity and binding affinity by molecularly imprinted polymers is possible by development of novel functional materials. Furthermore, increasing the cross-link density of imprinted polymers by using cross-linking functional groups was anticipated to improve polymer molecular recognition. A novel cross-linking monomer derived from an L-aspartic acid precursor was synthesized and employed in molecularly imprinted polymers to mimic more closely the scaffolding of proteins, and thus provide more protein-like selectivity. Chromatographic results revealed a more than 7-fold improvement in polymers imprinted using the new monomer versus a traditionally formulated polymer imprinted with methacrylic acid as the functional monomer.