Abstract: A MIP (molecularly imprinted polymer) was synthesized and evaluated for its use as sorbent for solid phase extraction (MISPE) of common used triazines (atrazine and terbuthylazine) and their widespread metabolites (desethyl-atrazine and desethyl-terbuthylazine) in water samples. MIP was produced by bulk polymerisation using methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacryllate as cross-linker, propazine as template and toluene as porogen solvent. Different washing methods of the synthesized polymer were evaluated. Soxhlet extraction provided the best results with a residual concentration of propazine, ranging from 0.78 to 2.86 μg for 1g of polymer. Capacity factor was calculated using a 5 cm HPLC column filled with MIP and NIP (Not Imprinted Polymer): data extrapolation indicated a log Kw of 4.3 for MIP and a log Kw of 3.5 for NIP. Also frontal analyses confirmed a different behaviour of the two polymers. By comparing the recovery efficiency of MIP with that of traditional LiChrolut EN cartridge in the extraction of a River Po water sample, the results confirmed the reliability of this new technique for the analysis of herbicide compounds. ® IWA Publishing 2008
Template and target information: triazines, atrazine, terbuthylazine, desethyl-atrazine, desethyl-terbuthylazine
Author keywords: MIP, MISPE, propazine, triazines