Recent advances in molecular imprinting techniques for the electrochemical analysis of chiral compounds

Abstract

Molecular imprinting technology has emerged as a powerful tool for creating highly selective recognition elements, known as molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). These synthetic polymers possess tailor-made binding sites with high affinity and specificity for target molecules, making them ideal for various analytical applications, including detecting and separating chiral compounds. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the design, synthesis, and application of MIPs for chiral analysis. Key developments in using novel monomers, innovative polymerization techniques, and advanced characterization methods are discussed. Additionally, integrating MIPs with cutting-edge materials such as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and nanomaterials is explored, highlighting their impact on improving sensor performance. The novelty of our review lies in its profound discussion of the recent advancement of electrochemical sensors-based MIPs that exhibit significant improvements in sensor miniaturization, rapid response times, and portability. The progress made in this fieldmarks a significant leap forward in the development of cost-effective, sustainable sensing devices for chiral analysis in complex matrices. Additionally, this review critically evaluates the pros and cons of various approaches, providing a comprehensive guide to future research in the field. The discussed techniques have strong potential for application in pharmaceutical quality control, clinical diagnosis, and environmental monitoring. This review aims to provide researchers and practitioners in MIPs with valuable insights into the current state and future directions of this technology for chiral compound analysis.