Two new rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes with cationic 2,2'-bipyridyl ligands were synthesized and characterized. The electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of the rhenium(I) carbonyl complexes was first investigated in aqueous solution using the co-reactant tri-n-propylamine (TPrA). The ECL behavior of the complexes was also studied in the presence of several surfactants. The oxidation of both TPrA and the rhenium(I) complexes was facilitated in the presence of Triton X-100, and the ECL intensity was enhanced 300-fold at a Au electrode. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.