Three transient absorption spectra in aqueous solution were observed by irradiation of benzene with an excimer laser (KrF, 248 nm or ArF, 193 nm). A short-lived absorption with a peak at 275 nm is assigned to the S n← S 1 absorption. A long-lived absorption, which appears as a clear shoulder at 230 nm, stays longer than 500 ns and is not shortened by oxygen. This species is tentatively assigned to benzvalene, and the quantum yield is ...