The reactivity and selectivity of radiolytically (60Co y rays) generated unsolvated trifluoromethylium (CF3+) ions toward selected aromatic substrates have been measured under conditions where nonionic processes can be safely ruled out. The same situation could not be attained for the trichloromethylium (CC13+) ion, owing to the overwhelming interference of CC13 radicals, by far the major reactive species produced by the y radiolysis of gaseous carbon tetrachloride. The unsolvated CF3+ ion is a moderate electrophile, whose attack on differently substituted aromatic substrates is rather indiscriminate; its positional selectivity toward a toluene molecule (para/0.5 meta = 4.3) appears intermediate between the one of t-C3H7+ ions (para/0.5 meta = 2.7) and that displayed by the very mild t-C4H9+ cation (para/0.5 meta = 35).Publication costs assisted by Consigno Nazionale deile Ricerche, RomaThe triplet state lifetime for 3-benzoylpyridine has been determined in aqueous solution at different pH values. The lifetime was found to decrease with decreasing pH and with increasing concentration of 3-benzoylpyridine. These findings are interpreted in terms of a complex formation with hydroxonium ion and of self-quenching of the triplet. Kinetic parameters for these interactions have been determined. The results obtained are compared with those of benzophenone.