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US 2014/0155555 A1Published application
Molecularly Imprinted Polymers Selective for Tobacco Specific Nitrosamines and Methods of Using Same
AssigneeBritish American Tobacco (Investments) Limited
InventorsAnthony Rees, Johan Billing, Ecevit Yilmaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A class of molecularly imprinted polymers that specifically recognizes and binds to TSNAs are useful, for example, in analysis and separation of TSNAs from biological fluids. Such polymers are also useful in methods of treating and manufacturing tobacco products and materials.
Claims21
A molecularly imprinted polymer selective for at least one tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA), the polymer having been prepared using materials comprising:
- a TSA or a structural analogue thereof;
- a neutral functional monomer;
- and
- a hydrophobic cross-linker.
1 more element
15-16. (canceled)
A kit, comprising:
- a molecularly imprinted polymer selective for at least one tobacco specific nitrosamine (TSNA), the polymer prepared using materials comprising:
- a TSNA or a structural analogue thereof;
- a neutral functional monomer selected from the group consisting of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), acrylamide, methacrylamide, glycerol monoacrylate, and glycerol monomethacrylate;
- a hydrophobic cross-linker selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EDMA), trimethlyolpropane trimethacrylate (TRIM), and divinylbenzene (DVB);
- and
- instructions for using the molecularly imprinted polymer to perform at least one of detecting, quantifying, and separating nitrosamines in a sample.
3 more elements
A method of preparing a molecularly imprinted polymer selective for TSNAs, comprising:
- co-polymerizing at least one neutral functional monomer and at least one hydrophobic cross-linker in the presence of at least one TSNA structural analogue in a polymerization medium containing at least one free radical initiator to produce a molecularly imprinted polymer bound to a TSNA structural analogue;
- and
- removing the TSNA structural analogue from the molecularly imprinted polymer.
22-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.