**9.1. Getting the delivery material (e.g., polymerization reaction to get the polymer)**

At the beginning of the investigation, efforts should focus on the preparation of a polymeric system. There are two different types of polymerization reactions: addition polymerization and condensation polymerization. Addition polymerization involves the use of a radical generating initiator which triggers polymerization reaction of monomers. Condensation polymerization involves reaction of monomers containing reactive functional groups to form a polymer.

The FTIR and <sup>1</sup> HNMR spectra need to be used to confirm the formation of the desired polymer. Further attempts to synthesize larger amount of the polymer for characterization studies need to be done.

One important characterization is the determination of molecular weight. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) can be used to analyze molecular weight of the polymer. A solution of 1 mg/1 ml of the polymer in tetrahydrofurane needs to be prepared and analyzed by GPC.
