A synthetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) sorbent for estrogenic compounds was prepared using a noncovalent imprinting technique. MIP microspheres sized from 1 to 2 microm were synthesized in acetonitrile by using alpha-estradiol as the template, acrylamide as the functional monomer, and trimethylpropanol trimethacrylate as the cross-linker. When compared with the nonimprinted polymer (NIP), the MIP showed outstanding affinity toward alpha-estradiol in aqueous solution with a binding site capacity (B(max)) of 380 nmol mg(-1) MIP, imprinting effect of 35, and a dissociation constant (Kd) of 38 microM. The MIP exhibited significant binding affinity toward other related estrogenic compounds such as beta-estradiol, diethylstilbestrol, estriol, and estrone, suggesting that this material may be appropriate for treating a complex mixture of estrogenic pollutants. The feasibility of removing estrogenic compounds from environmental water by the MIP was demonstrated using lake water spiked with alpha-estradiol. In addition, the MIP reusability without any deterioration in performance was demonstrated for at least five repeated cycles.