Ionic liquids as porogens in the synthesis of molecularly imprinted polymers

Although the information regarding room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) as polymerisation solvents is extensive, there has been very little research published using RTILs as solvents for the synthesis of crosslinked polymers in general and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) in particular. Herein we examine a model system, cocaine, and will review the properties and performance of imprinted polymers prepared in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with those prepared in RTILs, and the experimental parameters such as polymerisation temperature, solvent volume, rebinding conditions and template-RTIL combination, which may have a role to play in these systems.