Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Phosphonate Sensors

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) that are capable of sensing specific organophosphorus compounds, such as pinacolyl methylphosphonate (PMP), by luminescence have been synthesized and characterized. The polymers have been synthesized using conventional free radical polymerization and using Reversible Addition Fragmentation Transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The RAFT polymers exhibited many advantages over conventional free radical processes but are more difficult to make porous.