Enantioselective hyperporous molecularly imprinted thin film polymers

Enantioselective recognition, synthesis, and separation of pharmaceutical compounds at chiral metallic surfaces

The development of new pharmaceutical compounds is challenging because most of them are based on enantiopure chiral molecules, which exhibit unique properties for therapy. However, the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds in the absence of a chiral environment naturally leads to a racemic mixture. Thus, to control their synthesis, an asymmetric environment is required, and chiral homogeneous catalysts are typically used to synthesize enantiopure pharmaceutical compounds (EPC). Nevertheless, homogeneous catalysts are difficult to recover after the reaction, generating additional problems and costs in practical processes. Thus, the development of chiral heterogeneous catalysts is a timely topic. In a more general context, such chiral materials cannot only be used for synthesis, but also to recognize and separate enantiomers. In the frame of these different challenges, we give in this review a short introduction to strategies to extrinsically and intrinsically modify heterogeneous metal matrixes for the enantioselective synthesis, recognition, and separation of chiral pharmaceutical compounds.

Computational Modelling and Sustainable Synthesis of a Highly Selective Electrochemical MIP-Based Sensor for Citalopram Detection

A novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) has been developed based on a simple and sustainable strategy for the selective determination of citalopram (CTL) using screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs). The MIP layer was prepared by electrochemical in situ polymerization of the 3-amino-4 hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA) functional monomer and CTL as a template molecule. To simulate the polymerization mixture and predict the most suitable ratio between the template and functional monomer, computational studies, namely molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, were carried out. During the experimental preparation process, essential parameters controlling the performance of the MIP sensor, including CTL:AHBA concentration, number of polymerization cycles, and square wave voltammetry (SWV) frequency were investigated and optimized. The electrochemical characteristics of the prepared MIP sensor were evaluated by both cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Based on the optimal conditions, a linear electrochemical response of the sensor was obtained by SWV measurements from 0.1 to 1.25 µmol L-1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.162 µmol L-1 (S/N = 3). Moreover, the MIP sensor revealed excellent CTL selectivity against very close analogues, as well as high imprinting factor of 22. Its applicability in spiked river water samples demonstrated its potential for adequate monitoring of CTL. This sensor offers a facile strategy to achieve portability while expressing a willingness to care for the environment.

Customizable molecular recognition: advancements in design, synthesis, and application of molecularly imprinted polymers

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are unlocking the door to synthetic materials that are capable of molecular recognition.

Drug-loaded dual targeting graphene oxide-based molecularly imprinted composite and recognition of carcino-embryonic antigen

Despite extensive research on functional graphene oxide for anticancer drug delivery, the sensitivity of traditional protein targeting ligands to the environment limits the practical applications of targeted drug delivery. A unique molecularly imprinted magnetic graphene oxide was used as a novel drug delivery system for the treatment of tumors. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) synthesized by molecular imprinting technology have the advantages of good stability against chemical and enzymatic attacks, high specificity for a target template, and resistance to harsh environments. In our work, the MIP was used for specificity to tumor cells with carcino-embryonic (CEA) tumor markers as the template, and dopamine as the functional monomer was grafted on boronic acid-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide. The structure of the nanoparticles was optimized and characterized in detail by vibrating sample magnetometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, UV-vis spectroscopy, and flow cytometry. The prepared polymer has magnetic properties, specific recognition to CEA, biocompatibility and pH sensitivity for drug delivery. Cell culture research was carried out on the tumor cells and normal cells. The composites exhibited dual targeting properties that not only magnetically target but also specifically increase the drug cytotoxicity to the tumor cells by selectively binding to CEA. On the basis of these results, this study developed a novel approach for targeting tumor cells for drug delivery without needing to modify the protein ligand.

In the research we designed a CEA-molecularly imprinted polymers using molecular imprinting technique with CEA tumor marker as template, boronic acid functionalized MGO as substrate for dual targeted delivery of drug to tumor cells.