The synthesis and characterisation of two IMP analogues, 8-(6-aminohexyl)-ionosine 5'-monophosphate, Ahx' IMP, and inosine 2', 3 ' 0 [1-(6-aminohexyl)-levulinic acid amidel-acetal 5'-monophosphate, ( A~X L V~)~' ,~' I M P , is described. These analogues were attached to CNBr-activated agarose through the terminal amino group of the spacer molecule. The immobilised-IMP analogues displayed specificity for the inosine-nucleotide-dependent enzyme, IMP dehydrogenase (IMP : NAD + oxidoreductase, EC 1.2.1.14) but not for the NAD+-dependent enzymes, L-alanine and id-acetate dehydrogenases. Escherichiu coli IMP dehydrogenase could be eluted biospecifically from immobilised 8-substituted and ribose-substituted IMP adsorbents with IMP, XMP and GMP. Multiple peaks of enzyme activity in the elution profiles were interpreted in terms of aggregation of the enzyme. A protocol for the large-scale purification of E. coli IMP dehydrogenase is proposed. Homogeneous enzyme of specific activity 9.1 units/mg was obtained in 50 overall yield, representing 14 mg pure protein from a 20-1 culture of E. coli. The two IMP analogues were inactive as substrates in the IMP dehydrogenase reaction.