The preparation of a novel redox polymer precursor based on the electropolymerization of salicyl-N-4-nitroaniline is described. The activation of the precursor sites to redox active phenylene diamine units through chemical reduction with tin is detailed. The resulting redox polymer was characterized by cyclic voltammetry, reflectance Fourier transform IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The overall approach is evaluated with respect to the performance of the film and the structure of the coating after chemical modification.