Abstract: Activated support materials are provided containing oxirane or azlactone groups as substituents in linear polymers as activated groups. A base support containing hydroxyl groups is suspended in a solution containing cerium (IV) ions and a monomer containing an oxirane or azlactone group, and grafting polymerization is carrier out to produce a polymer containing oxirane or azlactone groups covalently bonded to the base support. Azlactone groups can be bonded to the base support via a thioether bond by using a base support containing thiol groups. The activated support materials can be used to prepare affinity supports containing an affinity ligand that is thiophilic or possesses a metal chelating group, or to prepare immobilized enzymes. The ligand can be iminodiacetic acid, or can be obtained by reacting an oxirane group of the support material with NaHS, and reacting the resultant product with divinylsulfone followed by reacting with mercaptoethanol.