[GRAPHICS] A Norrish type II reaction of an aryl ketone monolayer-protected colloid was investigated for the first time. Photolysis of mercaptoundecanophenone-modified gold colloid, MUP-MPC, generates free acetophenone in solution and the nonene-modified MPC via the triplet excited state and the 1,4-biradical intermediate. The reaction is being developed as a probe of conformational mobility in these unique environments.