A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for 4-hydroxybenzoic acid [P(4- HBA)] was prepared using 4-vinylpyridine (4-Vpy) as a functional monomer. Its molecular recognition mechanism was studied. And a comparison was made to evaluate its molecular recognition ability with that of salicylic acid-imprinted polymer [P(SA)]. The result shows that the molecular recognition ability of P(SA) is higher than that of P(4-HBA). The reason is that SA is stronger than 4-HBA in acidity and SA can form a more stable complex with 4-Vpy. which makes P(SA) have a higher molecular recognition ability. This study confirms that is is a prerequisite that the template should form a stable complex with the functional monomer in the preparation of MIP in order to obtain a MIP with high molecular recognition ability. Furthermore, this study will be helpful for us to understant the mechanism of molecular imprinting and molecular recognition of MIPs. Also, it will be of instructive significance for us to predict the selectivity of MIPs according to the properties of templates.

Key words: P-HYDROXYL BENZOIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID P, PYRIDINE P, OLECULAR RECOGNITION