A rutin-modified glassy carbon electrode (R/GCE), which showed electro-catalytic capability for the oxidation of sertraline, was prepared by electrochemically bonding. The modification mechanism and electrochemical behavior of the R/GCE were systematically investigated. It was found that the hydroxyl groups on GCE which bonded with rutin acted as a Michael receptor by a nucleophilic reaction. The immobilized rutin molecules undertook a reversible 2e/2H(+) redox, which contributed to a catalytic oxidation of sertraline. The oxidation mechanism of sertraline on R/GCE was investigated by infrared spectrum (IR) and electrochemical techniques. It was found that the catalytic oxidation of sertraline on R/GCE was an irreversible 2e/2H(+) redox. Sertraline was detected using a differential pulse voltammetry method. The oxidation current of sertraline linearly related to its concentration in the range of 3.0-90.0 mu M with a detection limit of 1.0 mu M (S/N = 3). The content of see traline in Zoloft tablets was also detected to validate the applicability of proposed modified electrode. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.