Electrochemical behaviour and electropolymerization of 4-azulen-1-yl-2,6-bis(2-thienyl)pyridine (L) has been studied. Complexing polymer-coated electrodes have been synthesized by oxidative electropolymerization of L in acetonitrile solutions containing 0.1 M tetrabutylammonium perchlorate. The films were characterized by cyclic voltammetry. differential pulse-voltammetry and scanning electron microscopy. The complexing properties of L and these new polymer-coated electrode materials were investigated towards heavy metals leading to complexation of lead and cadmium metal cations inside the polymer film. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.