Gas phase U+(C6H6)(n) (n = 1-3) and UOm+ (C6H6) (M = 1, 2) complexes are produced by laser vaporization and studied with ultraviolet (355 nm) laser photodissociation. The n = 1 complex dissociates to form U+, U+(C2H2) and U+(C4H2) via ligand elimination and ligand decomposition channels. The it = 2 and 3 fragment down to the n = I complex, losing intact neutral benzene molecules. The UO1.2+(C6H6) complexes eliminate intact neutral benzenes with no further fragmentation. These photodissociation trends parallel previous reaction studies, indicating that bare uranium cations are more reactive than uranium oxide ions. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.