Metallodendrimers terminated by redox-active transition-metal sandwiches or iron cluster groups are efficient redox exo-receptors for the recognition and sensing of various anions including oxo-anions and halides. The large size of higher-generation dendrimers ensures optimal adsorption on surfaces, a property that is used to derivatize Pt electrodes and provide re-usable sensors subsequent to washing the salt containing the anion bound by weak supramolecular interactions.