From flash photolysis data of benzil and 2,2′-dichlorobenzil, the role of conformeric triplets in the formation of hydrogen adduct radicals has been discussed. The planar relaxed triplet absorbing at 470 nm is less efficient in forming a hydrogen adduct radical as compared to its puckered conformeric partner. Among the hydrogen donors, triethyl amine and isopropanol, the former is more efficient in converting puckered triplets and less efficient in the case of planar conformers. Absorptions of radicals and radical anions of 2,2′-dichlorobenzil appear at 355 nm and 460 nm respectively. These are blue-shifted as compared to those of the parent compound benzil appearing at 370 nm and 540 nm, respectively. This blue-shift has been discussed in terms of steric hindrance due to ortho-substitut