Two molecularly imprinted polymers were synthesized with α-acrylic acid or 4-vinylpyridine as functional monomer for the selective recognition of herbicide picloram by molecular imprinting technique. The ionic interaction between picloram and 4-vinylpyridine was stronger than the hydrogen bond interaction between picloram and α-acrylic acid, which was studied by UV spectrum. Equilibrium binding experiment was used to investigate the binding ability to template molecule and the substrate selectivity of the two polymers. The results revealed that the polymer prepared with 4-vinylpyridine as functional monomer showed higher and better selective recognition abilities to picloram. It was significant to separate and enrich herbicide picloram from environment sample by molecular imprinting technique.

Key words: molecular imprinting technique, molecularly imprinted polymer, functional monomer, picloram