Photochemical CO2 reduction with mononuclear and dinuclear rhenium catalysts bearing a pendant anthracene chromophoreElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c8cc09155b

A series of anthracene-substituted mononuclear and dinuclear rhenium complexes have been studied for photocatalytic CO 2 reduction. The effects on catalytic activity of one versus two covalently-linked active sites, their relative proximity to one another, and the pendant organic chromophore are discussed. Well-defined dinuclear rhenium photocatalysts featuring an anthracene chromophore are significantly faster and more durable than their mononuclear counterparts.