The surface of spherical nonporous monodisperse silica particles (diameter: 200 nm) is covalently modified with hydride by means of hydrosilanization. A direct silicon-carbon link between the hydride modified silica surface and 10-undecylenic acid is obtained by photochemical radical initiated hydrosilylation. A ferrocene unit is attached through an amide link to the carboxylic acid modified surface. Solid-state NMR and DRIFT spectroscopy indicate success of the reactions. The electrochemical oxidation and reduction of the ferrocene modified silica particles are observed after their adsorption on a platinum electrode. The cyclic voltammograms indicate, in addition to the charge transfer between ferrocene units on the particle surface, an interparticle charge transfer. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.