In this paper we present the results of the detailed investigation of the phase transitions in benzophenone by applying differential scanning calorimetry. For the first time the full picture concerning all phase transitions which occur in benzophenone in the temperature range from 143 to 353 K was obtained. A new crystal modification gamma with melting point at 295.4 K has been found. Also the photoluminescence of each modification of benzophenone and the temperature dependences of their emission intensity have been investigated. The peculiarities observed in the emission of the beta -modification have been connected with the existence of this new gamma -modification. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.