A systematic approach to the diazotization of several organometallic compounds has been employed to enable electrode surface modification using the diazonium reduction method. The result of these attempts is one diazotized organometallic derivative, [CoCp(C5H4N2)]2+ (Cp = cyclopentadienyl), which has been used for the successful modification of glassy carbon electrodes. This “organometallic electrode” shows a chemically reversible pair of surface waves at -1.32 V vs. ferrocene, which is the expected value for the reduction of cobaltocenium ion in solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the presence of cobaltocenium on the electrode surface. The modified surface is stable in air, and does not undergo a significant loss of material when washed with water or organic solvents. This is the first reported electrode modification in which the direct covalent attachment of an organometallic compound to the electrode surface has been achieved.
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