Thermal reactions of dinitrobenzenes can be explained in terms of initial decomposition to NO, and nitrophenyl radicals, paralleling primary loss of NO, in the mass spectrum. To some extent the nitrophenyl radicals in turn lose NO, and give products formally derived from phenylene diradicals. o-Dinitrobenzene gives naphthalene derivatives with benzene-d6 and hexafluorobenzene, suggesting some concerted loss of NO, groups to yield benzyne. Formation of benzofurazan both in the mass spectrum and among thermal reaction products of o-dinitrobenzene points to interaction between the nitro groups in this isomer.Nitrobenzene at 600°d ecomposes to phenyl radical and NO2.1 Similar fragmentation of dinitrobenzenes C6H5NO, -C6H5• + NO,• should give products formally derived from phenylene diradicals. In particular, concerted decomposition of o-dinitrobenzene should yield benzyne, perhaps as a diradical, a species for which little evidence thus far has been found in either liquid or gas phase.