Transient absorption spectra of radical cations of 9-alkylanthracenes (RAn.+) formed by the electron-transfer oxidation of 9-alkylanthracenes with Fe(ClO4)3-9H2O have been detected by using a stopped flow spectrophotometer. The decay rates of RAn.+ obey the second-order kinetics due to the electron-transfer disproportionation reactions, followed by the nucleophilic attack of H2O on the resulting dications leading to the final ring-oxygenated products.