Abstract: A compound of the formula: ##STR1## where p is a whole integer from 1 to 12, and where R.sub.1 is CH.sub.2 OH or CH.sub.2 SH or CHO, m is a whole integer from 1 to 3 and R.sub.2 is H or CH.sub.2 OH. When incorporated into acrylyl-type terpolymers, the above compounds become pendant vicinal dihydroxyalkyl substituents oxidizable by metaperiodate to a pendant aldehyde form. Molecules, including proteins, bearing at least one primary amino group are coupled to the pendant aldehyde groups through Shiff base linkages followed by alkali metal cyanoborohydride reduction of the Schiff base linkages to secondary amine linkages. The study of cell adhesion to and interactions with specific molecule-bearing synthetic cell culture surfaces as well as production of specific molecule-bearing chromatographic media and enzymic reactors are enhanced or made available through the use of the invention's vicinal dihydroxyalkyl bearing acrylyl-type terpolymers.