In this study, a metal-complexing imprinted polymer has been prepared using the complex of Quercetin and Co(II) (Qu-Co(II)) as template (Quercetin is a kind of flavonoid, which is a class of important active ingredients of Chinese herbs.). The polymers were synthesized in the mixed solution of methanol and tetrahydrofuran by photo- and thermal-initiated polymerization, respectively. The complex ratio between Qu and Co(II), as well as the ternary complexation of Qu, Co(II), and acrylamide, was assessed in differential UV absorption spectrometry. Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) were useful to verify whether the polymers prepared in two ways had the same molecular structure. The effect of initiation mode was studied by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and equilibrium binding experiments. Isothermal adsorption and selectivity experiments showed that molecularly imprinted polymers exhibited high affinity and specific recognition for Qu by introducing cobalt ion. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012