The electrochemical reduction of di(methoxyp-tert-butyl)calix [4]arenediquinone led to its calix[4]arenedihydroquinone. The presence of both in the solution refers to the generation of calix[4]arenequinhydrone charge-transfer complex at the electrode surface through a donor/acceptor process type. Self-assembled adlayers of calix[4]arenequinhydrone was obtained by partial electrochemical reduction. Electrochemical deposition of the last form was achieved on the platinum disk electrode at -1.16 V versus SCE (saturated calomel electrode) in aprotic solution by cathodic reduction of the starting substrate. The deposit was first characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in electrolytic solution and then in electrolyte support solution and finally in a ferricyannure solution. The self-assembled product was characterized by MALDI-TOF Mass and IR spectroscopy techniques. It was observed too by SEM technique. Calix[4]arenequinhydrone is observed on the electrode surface as hexangular prisms with a length of few micrometers.

A sensing materiel based on calix[4]arene molecules is electrochemically deposited on ITO electrode coated. A brown film was electrodeposited at a potential Eimp = –1.00 V versus SCE in acetonitrile solvent, however in dichloromethane solvent, a bluish film auto-assembled on the ITO electrode coated at a potential Eimp = −0.65 V versus SCE. Both films are subsequently analyzed by cyclic voltammetry and UV–Vis spectroscopy. This investigation shows that in acetonitrile solvent, the charge-transfer complex, calix[4]arenequinhydrone was formed in electrolytic solution and it was not self-assembled on the ITO electrode. The related UV–Vis spectrum shows a single absorption band towards a wavelength about 350 nm. The optical behaviour of the blue film shows two absorption bands: the first one appears on the first absorption band of the acceptor at 305 nm and the second one in the visible range at 502 nm. The band situated in the visible range correspond to a well-defined charge-transfer band indicating the presence of the charge-transfer complex, the calix[4]arenequinhydrone.