The present invention relates to a solid and method useful in separating chemical
components in a complex mixture when at least one of the chemical components of
the mixture is capable of being selectively adsorbed. The solid of the present
invention comprises an inorganic substance and moieties (R10) located
on at least one surface of the inorganic substance, wherein said inorganic substance
is an inorganic oxide and the surface moiety is selected from the group consisting
of —CH2OH, —CH(OH)2, —CH(OH)CH3,
—CH2CH2OH, —C(OH)2CH3,
—CH2CH(OH)2 and —CH(OH)CH2(OH). Binding
moiety, optionally attached to the inorganic substance via a linker, can also be
located on the surface of the solid.
