Development of a novel molecularly imprinted polymer for the retention of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene

Microchimica Acta, Volume 176, Numbers 3-4 (2012), 375-380
Development of a novel molecularly imprinted polymer for the retention of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene
Lou Ann Tom (1)
toml@susqu.edu
Chelsea L. Gerard (1)
Colin M. Hutchison (1)
Amanda S. Brooker (1)
1. Chemistry Department, Susquehanna University, 514 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870, USA
Abstract
Reports preparation of several molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for the retention of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6- DMDBT).  The first was a polymer prepared non-covalently with methacrylic acid and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate polymerized in the presence of 4,6-DMDBT. After extraction of 4,6-DMDBT, researchers evaluated the selectivity of the imprinted polymer.  They compared this to a non-imprinted control polymer prepared without 4,6- DMDBT.  The imprinted polymer retained 4,6-DMDBT slightly longer than the control polymer.
A second polymer was prepared using nickel (II)-methacryloylhistidinedihydrate monomer.  This was combined with 4,6-DMDBT, and polymerized with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.  This is a novel use of this monomer for retention of sulfur-containing organic compounds. Selectivity for 4,6-DMDBT was much greater in this polymer compared to the first.  Retention in acetonitrile was more than three times greater on the imprinted polymer compared to a control polymer. Results suggest the potential use of this novel MIP for the removal of organosulfur compounds from fuel.
Free Full Text Source: http://www.springerlink.com/content/w00403407m336m03/