Combinatorial library comprising pouches as packages for library members and method therefor

A method for the synthesis of an array of polymers comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches, each pouch attached to a conveyance apparatus and each pouch containing a same first reactant and a same second reactant, wherein at least one pouch contains a different volume ratio of first reactant to second reactant, and each pouch contains a captive pouch;
• and
• b) conveying the array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches through a reaction zone to cause the first reactant in each pouch to react with the second reactant in each pouch to produce an array of polymers.

A method for the synthesis of an array of polymers comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches, each pouch attached to a conveyance apparatus and each pouch containing a same first reactant and a same second reactant, wherein at least a first pouch and a second pouch contains a similar volume ratio of first reactant to second reactant;
• and
• b) conveying the array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches through a reaction zone exposing the first pouch to a first set of reaction conditions and exposing the second pouch to a second set of reaction conditions, where the first set of reaction conditions are different than the second set of reaction conditions, and cause the first reactant in each pouch to react with the second reactant in each pouch to produce an array of polymers.

A method for the synthesis of an array of non-polymer compounds comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches, each pouch attached to a conveyance apparatus and each pouch containing a same first reactant and a same second reactant, wherein at least one pouch contains a different volume ratio of first reactant to second reactant;
• and
• b) conveying the array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches through a reaction zone to cause the first reactant in each pouch to interact with the second reactant in each pouch to produce an array of non-polymer compounds.

A method for the synthesis of an array of polymer mixtures comprising the steps of:

• a) providing an array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches, each pouch attached to a conveyance apparatus and each pouch containing a same first polymer and a same second polymer, wherein at least one pouch contains a different volume ratio of first polymer to second polymer;
• and
• b) conveying the array of sealed flexible polymeric pouches through a mixing zone to cause the first polymer in each pouch to interact with the second polymer in each pouch to produce an array of polymer mixtures.