The convenient functionalization of metal surfaces by carboxyphenyl groups in aprotic media is not possible for two reasons. First, carboxy derivatives of diazonium salts are very unstable and, second, the electroreduction product is soluble in the solvent. So, the optimization of the conditions of the electrografting of the metal surfaces by applying aqueous solutions is much needed. Compared to earlier cyclic voltammetry approaches we have shown that the chronoamperometric deposition is more convenient. The constant potential equal to the voltammetric peak potential and the molar ratio 1:1 for the substrates: 4-aminobenzoic acid and NaNO2 as the diazotization agent, in 0.5 M HCl, appeared to be very satisfying conditions for the deposition of a thin layer of deposit of perpendicularly oriented carboxyphenyl groups at the Au surface and for maximal elimination of the influence of the side-reactions products. Under the determined conditions the immobilization of DNA strands was optimal and the deposited laccase layer was tightly packed and very efficient toward the electroreduction of oxygen. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, cyclic voltammetry, chronocoulometry, atomic force microscopy, contact angle measurements and UV-Vis spectroscopy of the solution were used to characterize the electrografted carboxyphenyl layers and subsequent oligonucleotide and enzyme immobilization process. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.