The photoelectron spectrum (PE. spectrum) of barrelene (bicyclo[2.2.2]octatriene, 4) is recorded and the first four bands are correlated with orbitals obtained with the MINDO/Z-SCF procedure. The structural changes accompagnying the ionisation process 4 + 4+ are qualitatively derived from the features of the top-occupied ah (n) MO of 4, which shows complete a-n separation. The vibrational pattern of the corresponding PE. band 0 as well as complete energy-minimisation of the geometries of 4 and 4+ support the conclusion that 4 is a rather strained molecule. The interaction of the three n-bonds in 4 are discussed in terms of 'through-sflace' and 'through-bond' interaction with lower lying a-orbitals. I t is found that the latter is far from being negligible.In a previous note of this series [2] we reported on the interaction of the n-orbitals n, and n2 in bicyclo [2.2.2] octadiene (3), as determined by high-resolution photol)