Covalent molecularly imprinted polymers for selective adsorption of plant growth stimulator 1-naphthaleneacetic acid

In this work, we present the development and testing of new sorption materials for the adsorption of 1-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA). Covalently prepared molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) were prepared as suitable materials. Molecular imprinting was performed using two different NAA derivatives: 4-vinylbenzyl 2-(naphthalen-1-yl)acetate and N-methyl-2-(naphthalen-1-yl)-N-((4-vinylbenzoyl)oxy)acetamide. The prepared monomers bearing NAA fragment were subjected to polymerization, removal of template and the prepared MIPs were further characterized and tested. Both types were able of MIPs to catch out >98% NAA from solution (10−3 mol L−1) within 10 min and subsequently desorb it quantitatively. Both types of prepared MIPs can be used in at least 10 consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles. Ester-derived MIPs were also highly effective for continuous flow adsorption of 10−2 mol L−1 NAA and showed certain level of selectivity for NAA in a mixture with anthranilic acid and/or salicylic acid.