Uniform-sized molecularly imprinted polymer for metsulfuron-methyl by one-step swelling and polymerization method

Area of Science:

• Polymer Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Molecules with specific binding sites are crucial for selective analyte detection.
• Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer a robust platform for creating such selective materials.
• Efficient extraction and detection of herbicides like metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) in environmental samples are important.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop uniform-sized molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) beads for selective metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) recognition.
• To evaluate the chromatographic performance of the MIPs for MSM and related compounds.
• To utilize the synthesized MIPs as a solid-phase extraction (SPE) material for MSM enrichment in water samples.

Main Methods:

• One-step swelling and polymerization method using 4-vinylpyridine (4-VPY) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA).
• Optimization of MIP preparation by adjusting the ratio of MSM to 4-VPY.
• Chromatographic evaluation of MSM and structurally related sulfonylureas (SUs) on the MIP column.
• Application of MIPs in solid-phase extraction (SPE) coupled with reversed-phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC).

Main Results:

• Uniform-sized MIP beads with specific affinity for metsulfuron-methyl (MSM) were successfully prepared.
• Fair resolution of structurally related sulfonylureas (SUs) was achieved on the MIP column.
• High recovery rate (99.59%) and low relative standard deviation (1.13%) for MSM extraction from drinking water.
• Achieved a low detection limit of approximately 6.0 ng/L for MSM in water samples after enrichment.

Conclusions:

• The developed uniform-sized MIP beads are effective for selective recognition and chromatographic separation of MSM.
• The MIPs serve as an efficient SPE material for the preconcentration of MSM in real water samples.
• This method provides a sensitive and reliable approach for detecting trace levels of MSM in environmental water.