Halogenated polymers of vinyl aromatic monomers comprising styrene and divinylbenzene are provided for use in a chromatographic separation method of analytes, wherein said polymer further comprises a hydrocarbyl or halocarbyl substituent comprising from 1 to 1,000,000 carbon atoms, or combinations thereof. Methods of using the halogenated polymers are also provided. The polymers and methods are particularly useful in the separation of nucleic acids labeled with hydrophobic labels such as protecting groups, fluorophores, and the like.