Kinetics and transient absorption spectra of pyrene-and 1 -chloropyrene-triethylamine (TEA) systems, in the presence and absence of cyanide ions, have been studied b y a nanosecond timeresolved laser flash photolysis method in dry acetonitrile at room temperature. Schemes for c h loropyrene-triet hylami ne-and c h loropyrene-triet hylami ne-CNsystems have been developed and individual rate constants determined either b y direct measurements or by use of computer analysis of the experimental decay curves. The reaction results in the dehalogenation of chloropyrene t o yield pyrene as the reaction product, but high quantum yields (0.2-0.4) are obtained only in the presence of cyanide ions. The hydrogen atoms which replace the chlorines originate from the solvent. This was determined b y deuterium labelling. The reaction proceeds via an exciplex t o radical ions, which recombine to form ion pairs. Cyanide ions attract chlorohydropyrene radicals, which are mainly formed in the reaction between chloropyrene anion radicals and the solvent. The cyanohydropyrenyl radicals formed are in equilibrium with the relatively stable cyanopyrene anion radicals and, b y cleavage of the cyano radicals, yield the reaction product.Paper 1/03584C