Chiral recognition in adrenergic receptor binding mimics prepared by molecular imprinting

Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared against the adrenomimetic agents ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These compounds each incorporate two chiral centres, The polymers were evaluated with respect to enantiodiscrimination of various adrenergic ligands. The selectivity of the polymeric binding sites for the imprinted molecules was very high, and it was found that binding of both the enantiomeric and diastereomeric isomers of the imprint species were effectively obstructed, In addition, it was found that these polymers could selectively recognize the enantiomers of the endogenous adrenergic ligand epinephrine as well as several beta-adrenergic blockers. These observations suggest that these polymers effectively mimic the recognition patterns exhibited by natural adrenergic receptors.