Adsorption of alcohols on polymer-coated silica materials is considered. The data obtained show that the inner structure of the polymer layer determines the adsorptive properties of the material. From the presented results it follows that the adsorption of polar alcohol molecules from nonpolar solvent occurs in two steps of different kinetics. A simple model which explains large discrepancies between the adsorption and desorption heats is proposed. It is also demonstrated that the model allows us to explain the adsorption behavior of polar solutes from polar solvent. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.