We have synthesized by sol‒gel method fairly extensive series of bioactive elementcontaining hydrogels based on polyolates of biogenic elements (silicon, zinc, boron, iron) and their modified derivatives1-5. Element-containing polyolates which are biocompatible and bioactive precursors in sol-gel synthesis have no negative effect on the biomacromolecules unlike commonly used alkoxy precursors, such as tetraethoxysilane Si(OEt)4. Moreover, the sol‒gel processing proceeds under mild conditions without using additional homogenizing solvent or catalyst. General regularities and features of gelation process were established for various element-containing precursors and also in comparison with alkoxy precursors.