Abstract: A new strategy for synthesis of molecularly imprinted organically modified silica (MIORMOSIL) has been described. The MIORMOSIL was prepared by reacting vinyl acetate and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate, followed by condensation and hydrolysis with tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of caffeine. The ORMOSIL was characterized by SEM, FTIR, 29Si MAS NMR, 13C MAS NMR, TGA, nitrogen adsorption/desorption and tested to extract analyte from coffee samples. The percentage recovery of caffeine 88 ± 5% (n = 9), limits of detection and quantification, 5.14 x 10-4 and 1.71 x 10-3 mmolL-1 respectively, were achieved. Cross reactivity studies for theophylline and theobromine showed high recovery (77% and 82% respectively).Abbreviations: HMIP: Molecularly Imprinted ORMOSIL; HNIP: non imprinted ORMOSIL; TMSPM: 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)propylmethacrylate
Author keywords: caffeine, molecularly imprinting technique, ORMOSIL, Solid phase extraction