A novel and simple method for the electropolymerization of porphyrins is developed. Polarization of a working electrode at the second ring-oxidation potential of octaethylporphyrins in the presence of appropriate bridging nucleophiles is sufficient to realize the coating of the electrode by a cationic polymeric film. Characterizations of the obtained films are presented. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.