Abstract: Molecularly imprinted smart polymers (MISPs) are provided herein, as well as novel monomers for preparing MISPs, and processes for preparing MISPs. The MISPs can be used applications such as, for example, detecting/absorbing or isolating biological and non-biological agents. The MISPs described herein comprise responsive monomeric units which undergo a physico-chemical change (e.g., a bond formation or cleavage) in response to an external change, such that the MISP selectively binds to a target molecule and releases a bound target molecule in response to the external change.