The preparation, characterization and analytical application of a chemically modified gold electrode (CME), based on thiolated alpha-cyclodextrin self assembled monolayer (SAM), have been described. The CME was effective for the determination of nitroaromatic explosive compounds; 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) was determined with satisfactory results (LOQ = 30 mu molL(-1)). The analytical response in contaminated water and in presence of other nitroaromatic compounds, such as 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) and picric acid (PA), has been evaluated. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.