Molecularly imprinted polymers as biomimetic catalysts.

The quest for synthetic biomimetic catalysts able to complement the activity of enzymes has attracted substantial research efforts, and the molecular imprinting approach is one of the attractive techniques that are currently being investigated. In the last 3 years, there has been considerable interest in studying in greater detail the parameters that control and influence the catalytic activity of imprinted polymers and applying molecular imprinting to a wider range of polymeric matrices. This article reports on some of the interesting examples available in the literature regarding the use of metal-containing polymers, microgels and nanogels and thermoresponsive polymers.