Using a Zn(II)-quercetin complex as a template (quercetin is a kind of flavonoid; flavonoids are important active ingredients of Chinese herbs), we prepared a new kind of metal coordination imprinted polymer (MCIP) in methanol by a molecular imprinting technique. The coordination mode and coordination ratio between quercetin and Zn(II) were studied in differential ultraviolet absorption spectrometry, and the ternary coordination of quercetin, Zn(II), and 4-vinylpyridine was verified by similar methods. The effect of the crosslinking agent dosage oil the morphology and network Structure of MCIP and its binding capacity were studied by transmission electron microscopy and equilibrium binding experiments. The regulation of different anions and cations oil the identification system of MCTP was Studied in detail. In addition, the binding characteristics of MCIP were evaluated by Scatch-ard analysis. The experimental results show that the Zn(II)-quercetin imprinted polymer had selective binding to its template complex, including selectivities to the anions and cations, and a class of homogeneous recognition sites was formed in the polymer within the range of Studied concentration. The dissociation constant and most apparent specific adsorption amount of the Zn(II)-quercetin imprinted polymer was calculated to be 0.6983 mmol/L and 78.72 mu mol/g, respectively. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 116: 258-266, 2010