Preparation of functional gel particles with a dual crosslink network

A process for preparing a gel particle comprising:

• polymerizing by a controlled polymerization process in a biphasic media a system comprising:
• vinyl monomeric units;
• at least one first divinyl monomeric unit, wherein the vinyl groups are connected by a chemically stable linking group;
• and
• at least one second divinyl monomeric unit, wherein the vinyl groups are connected by a cleavable linking group;
• and
• forming a polymeric network comprising chemically stable crosslinks and cleavable crosslinks.

A process for delivering an active compound to a target site comprising:

• forming a gel particle comprising a polymeric network comprising chemically stable crosslinks and cleavable crosslinks by a controlled polymerization process;
• encapsulating one or more functional compounds in an interior portion of the gel particle;
• delivering the gel particle to a target site;
• cleaving at least a portion of the cleavable crosslinks of the polymeric network;
• and
• increasing a swelling ratio of the gel particle such that the one or more functional compounds is released from the interior portion of the gel particle.