Alternative molecularly imprinted membranes from a derivative of natural polymer,cellulose acetate

Molecularly imprinted polymeric membranes were prepared from cellulose acetate (CA), of which acetyl content was 40%, by applying the alternative molecular imprinting technique. The Z‐d ‐Glu imprinted polymeric membranes thus obtained recognized d ‐Glu in preference to l ‐Glu from racemic Glu mixtures and vice versa. The affinity constants between Glu and the chiral recognition site for two kinds of membranes were determined to be 3.1 × 10³ mol⁻¹ dm³ from the adsorption isotherm of d ‐Glu or L ‐Glu in the molecularly imprinted CA membranes. Enantioselective electrodialysis was attained with the present membranes reflecting their adsorption selectivity. d ‐Glu was preferentially permeated through the Z‐d ‐Glu imprinted CA membrane, whereas L ‐Glu was permeated through the Z‐L ‐Glu imprinted CA membrane. The present study suggests that the molecularly imprinted CA membranes are applicable to the optical resolution of racemic amino acids. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 72: 493–499, 1999