Electrocatalytic reduction of nitrite ions by a copper complex attached as SAMs on gold by “self-induced electroclick”: Enhancement of the catalytic rate by surface coverage decrease

A biomimetic copper complex has been attached as SAMs onto an azidoundecanethiol-modified gold electrode by the “self-induced electroclick” procedure. The immobilized complex electrocatalyzes efficiently the reduction of nitrite ions in an acidic medium. The in-situ control of the surface coverage during the grafting process by the electroclick approach has been exploited to rationalize the influence of surface concentration on the electrocatalytic properties of the immobilized Cu complex. The voltammetric analysis shows an enhancement of the catalytic rate when the surface coverage is decreased, as a consequence of steric and electronic effects. [Display omitted] •A grafted biomimetic copper complex electrocatalyzes the reduction of nitrite ions.•The catalytic rate is enhanced when the surface coverage is decreased.•The surface coverage is controlled in-situ by self-induced electroclick.