CHAPTER 2 M OLECULAR I MPRINTING (T EMPLATING )-- A P ROMISING A PPROACH FOR D ESIGN OF P OLYMER -B ASED C HEMICAL S ENSORS G. Korotcenkov B. K. Cho 1. INTRODUCTION The design and synthesis of receptor systems for chemical sensors capable of binding a target molecule to antibodies with similar affi nity and specificity has been a long-term goal in organic chemistry. It is well known that to obtain the necessary spatial arrangements for an optimum host­guest interaction, the design of selective monomolecular hosts depends on time-consuming and often sophisticated synthesis. This strategy leads to remarkably selective devices; however, despite intense efforts, the results are not always suitable for use in sensor systems. Molecular imprinting (templating) is one intriguing idea which provides an applicable alternative technology. This approach uses highly stable polymer recognition sites within the polymer matrix that are adapted to the morphology and functionality of the analyte. It has been shown that molecular imprinting offers the potential for comparatively fast design of sensitive layers with artificial macromolecular recep- tors. Previous research has found that molecular imprinting technology allows for the creation of synthetic receptors with binding constants comparable to those of natural receptors, such as proteins and nucleic acids, but capable of withstanding much harsher conditions. These materials are also less expensive to synthesize and can be manufactured in large quantities with high reproducibility (Bossi et al. 2007). 77