Diadamantyldioxetane, trim ethyldioxetane and tetram ethyldioxetane were photolyzed b y light of A > 260 nm . The spectral distribution o f the quanta emitted during photoinduced decom position of dioxatenes was found to be different from fluorescence and phosphorescence o f ketones. Flash photolysis experim ents showed the absorption of an short-lived interm ediate. It was concluded, therefore, that photolysis o fdioxetanes is not a concerted process but involves at least one precursor o f the final product ketone.