In the paper presented, we report on the electrochemical signals generated upon interaction between polyamine host molecules immobilized on the surface of gold electrodes and anions of ethene dicarboxylic acids existing in the aqueous phase. Two methods of gold electrode modification will be compared: covalent (macrocyclic polyamine molecules with -SH groups were bound directly on the gold surface) and embedment (polyamines with long alkyl chains were adsorbed into the monolayer of 1-dodecanethiol deposited on the gold surface). The signals generated due to formation of supramolecular complexes between macrocyclic polyamines and anions of cis- and trans-isomers of ethene dicarboxylic acids at the electrode interface were measured by cyclic voltammetry and Osteryoung square-wave voltammetry with [Ru(NH3)(6)](3+) as an electroactive marker. The selectivity and sensitivity of the presented sensors were compared with those ion selective electrodes (ISEs) incorporated with the same and similar macrocyclic polyamines. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.