A novel precursor monolithic capillary column referred to as "hydroxy monolith" or OHM was prepared by the in situ copolymerization of hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) with pentaerythritol triacrylate (PETA) yielding the neutral poly(HEMA-co-PETA) monolith. The neutral precursor OHM capillary thus obtained was subjected to postpolymerization modifications of the hydroxyl functional groups present on its surface with 1,2-epoxyalkanes catalyzed by boron trifluoride (BF