Based on ab initio calculated results, a new mechanism is proposed that intramolecular hydrogen atom transfer may occur Ž . during the photodissociation of o-chlorotoluene at 266 nm. This mechanism is different from the general suggestion, i.e. 1 Ž . Ž . Ž . Ž . o-chlorotoluene S TMo-chlorotoluene T TMClqo-tolylTMbenzylqCl. Our suggestion is 2 o-chlorotoluene S TMo1 1 1 Ž . Ž . Ž . chlorotoluen...