A modified electrode (ME) covered with poly-[allyl ether p-(2-aminoethyl) phenol] film containing platinum particles was prepared and used for the electrohydrogenation of several carbonylic compounds. Structural modifications on the film were made by co-polymerization with allyl phenyl ether, aiming to separate the ion-exchanger groups. The application of this new ME to the same reactions improved the product yield: enabling the use of a less negative potential for H-* generation, the consequent increase in efficiency indicates an electrocatalytic hydrogenation route. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.