Synthesis of a SiO2/TiO2 hybrid boronate affinity monolithic column for specific capture of glycoproteins under neutral conditions

A unique boronate-functionalized SiO2/TiO2 hybrid monolithic column was synthesized by a facile approach. Although a conventional boronic acid, 4-vinylphenylboronic acid, was used as the affinity ligand, the prepared monolithic column exhibited specific capacity to capture glycoproteins including antibodies in aqueous solution at neutral pH. With the incorporation of titania, the monolith was highly hydrophilic, and the procedure of affinity chromatography could be performed under aqueous organic-solvent-free conditions.