Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for vanillin were synthesized by suspension polymerization using ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker and methacrylic acid as functional monomer, respectively. The analysis of scanning electron microscopy and equilibrium binding experiments indicated that the MIPs can selectively separate the target analytes. Reversible addition-fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) technique was used to synthesize MIPs using benzyl dithiobenzoate as RAFT agent. The results showed smaller particle size, higher molecular adsorption, and considerable binding specificity toward vanillin than those prepared by suspension polymerization. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013