Abstract: The triphenylmethyl (trityl) carbocation has been generated as a transient intermediate by laser flash photolysis of 1: 2 (v/v) acetonitri1e: water solutions of trityl acetate and trityl4-cyanophenyl ether. Identification of the transient as the free carbocation in the ground state was based on its characteristic absorption spectrum and upon conductivity changes. Rate constants have been measured for the reaction of the cation in this solvent ...