Molecularly imprinted polymers can recognize target molecules by incorporating functional monomers with template molecules during polymerization, which leads to a better recognition of the target molecule. However, until now, most reported imprinted polymers are prepared in organic solvents and show poor molecular recognition in aqueous solution, which limits their application in the field of extraction and causes environmental issues after preparation. To achieve these objectives, a new deep eutectic solvent-based hierarchical molecularly imprinted resin (DES-HMIR) was synthesized in water with excellent molecular recognition in polar environment; thus, the process preempts the consumption of large amounts of organic solvents. During the synthesis, DES was simultaneously used as a porogen and cosolvent for the template, in order to increase the specific surface area and porosity of the DES-HMIR. Owing to its specific molecular recognition, high porosity, and water-compatibility, the DES-HMIR can applied as an SPE adsorbent for specifically recognize and extract targets from complex matrices. As shown in Fig. 1, DES-HMIR could selectively extract the analytes from the tomato matrix with significant enrichment and purification effects. The spiked recoveries of plant hormones in vegetables and fruits were in the range of 78.0−102.9%, with relative standard deviations ≤7.1%, which proved the universal applicability of DES-HMIR to these targets from complex matrixes under different pH values, and it is expected to be used as an SPE adsorbent for the extraction and separation of analytes from vegetables and fruits.

Application of green hierarchical porous molecularly imprinted adsorbent for excellent selective extraction of plant hormones from fruits and vegetables

ACS Spring 2022

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