Single step synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) in aqueous solution using amine functionalized silane and beta-cyclodextrin (CD) composite is reported. High resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to characterize the 3 and 5 nm Au NPs embedded in beta-CD-silicate sol-gel matrix (TPDT) composite. The electrocatalysis and the sensing of nitroaromatics were studied at the Au NPs embedded in the beta-CD-TPDT composite modified electrode using the cyclic voltammetric and the square-wave voltammetric techniques. The square-wave voltammetric technique provides a facile, simple and fast quantitative method for the detection and determination of nitroaromatics at the Au NPs modified electrode. It is inferred that the beta-CD plays a predominant role both in the green synthesis of Au NPs embedded in beta-CD-TPDT composite and its applications in the electrocatalysis and sensing of nitroaromatics. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.