Two novel ferrocene-based compounds glycidyl ester of ferrocene carboxylate (GEFC) and 1,3-diferrocenecarboxylic acid diacylglycerol (DFCDG) were synthesized and characterized by H-1 NMR and mass spectrum. The influence of some factors, namely, solvent type, potential scan rate, electrolyte concentration and [Fe] unit concentration, on the electrochemical behaviors of two novel ferrocene-based compounds was investigated, and the mechanism of the electrode processes was studied. Finally, two compounds were applied to sense the H2PO4- by cyclic voltammetry (CV) method and it was found that the DFCDG with a symmetric structure which was synthesized through ring opening reaction of ferrocene carboxylate and GEFC showed stronger interaction with the H2PO4- than GEFC. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.