Molecularly imprinted polymers were synthesized with salicylic acid as the template, methacrylic acid as the functional monomer to study the binding property of the polymer which utilizing hydrogen bonding as the major interaction force. Results of chromatographic and adsorptive isotherm studies show that imprinted polymer has specific binding affinity for salicylic acid. Scatchard analysis shows that different binding classes formed in the polymer. The polymer selectivity was indicated by the separation of salicylic acid and its isomer: 4-hydroxybenzoic acid in the HPLC analysis with the resulting polymer as a stationary phase. Influences of the mobile phase on the HPLC analysis and recognition mechanism were also discussed.

Key words: POLYMER, SALICYLIC ACID, HIGH SPEED LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY, TEMPLATE AGENT