To gain a deeper insight into the electronic coupling between molecules conjugated to the graphitic surface of the electrode, a series of graphite-conjugated organic/organometallic complexes was investigated. Graphite conjugation through amine-quinone condensation induces a strong electronic coupling between the functionalized moiety to the electrode, resulting in a fundamentally different electron transfer behavior for graphite-conjugated catalysts compared to their homogeneous counterpart in electrochemical reactions (Figure ). In short, graphite-conjugated catalysts behave more "electrode-like" than "molecule-like." Different from molecular electrocatalysis, where a redox event is separated from substrate activation, the strong coupling introduced by the conjugated linkage between the electrode and immobilized metal complex induces a concerted electron transfer pathway and eliminates redox intermediates. Furthermore, the oxidation state of the transition metal center on the site remains unchanged under electron transfer conditions. Coupling the molecular moiety to the electrode offers a better stabilization of excess charges through delocalization. The molecular catalyst may not undergo the exact mechanism compared to its homogenous state. When a potential is applied to the electrode, the homogenous catalyst experiences a change in the electric field that changes the driving force of electron transfer. However, the difference between the Fermi level and the redox potential of the molecule remains unchanged after immobilization. Therefore, the driving force remains the same. Instead, electron transfer only occurs when coupled with ion transfer under an applied potential. The delocalization of electrons in the electrode prohibits the oxidation state of the metal center. Together, graphite conjugation allows tuning heterogenized electrocatalysis at the molecular level by providing an alternative to obtaining a precisely controlled catalyst with an optimal reaction rate and electron efficiency. FIGURE 13. Strong electronic coupling through a conjugated linkage. Reproduced with permission from Ref. 67.