A method is proposed of obtaining a chemical interaction between at least one reagent trapped in sol-gel glass by doping it with the reagent, and diffusible solutes or components in an adjacent liquid or gas phase. The reagents, the solutes or the components can be any organic or inorganic compounds or materials of biological origin including enzymes. The doped sol-gel glass in various forms may be useful as analytical test, chromatographic medium, sensor, catalyst or biocatalyst, electrode or enzyme electrode, or other detection device.