We present quantitative UV-absorption spectra in the wavelength range 200 to 400 nm and the temperature range 150 to 600 °(2 for anthracene, xanthone, pyrene, l-bromopyrene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene obtained at I atm of air in a slowly flowing gas mixture. As a general trend, the spectra shift to the red with increasing temperature and decrease in peak intensity thus leading to a loss of the characteristic structure of the spectrum. The absorption integrated over a particular band generally stays constant or slightly decreases with increasing temperature. © 1997 Elsevier Science S.A. (J. Photochem. Photobiol. A: Chemistry, 104 (1997), 25-33).