Flash photolysis of molecular bromine as well as iodine was studied in benzene and toluene at room temperature. Transient absorption spectra were observed which are attributable to the charge-transfer complexes formed between the halogen atoms and the aromatics. Flash photolysis of bromine in deoxygenated toluene initiates the bromination chain reaction followed by complete disappearance of bromine molecules. It is of interest that a transient absorption, probably due to a charge-transfer-type interaction, appears even for such a reactive system. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.