The reactions of e^–_aq, H· and OH· with phenol have been studied. The corresponding rate constants were 1.8 × 10⁷, 1.8 × 10⁹ and 1.4 × 10¹⁰ M^–1 sec^–1, respectively. The product detected after e^–_aq and H· attack was the H adduct (ε_3300Å= 3800 M^–1 cm^–1). The initial product of OH· attack was the OH adduct (ε_3300Å= 4400 M^–1 cm^–1). Both H and OH adducts are probably mixtures of isomers. OH adducts subsequently undergo either unimolecular elimination of water to form the more resonance-stabilized phenoxyl radical, ϕO·(ε_4000Å= 2200 M^–1 cm^–1), or bimolecular radical-radical reactions. The elimination is catalyzed by H⁺, OH^– and HPO^2–₄ ions. There are indications of different rates of catalysis for different isomers of the OH adduct. The uncatalyzed rate of elimination is ⩽10³ sec^–1. The elimination was also detected from OH adducts of p-cresol (to give p-CH₃C₆H₄O-, ε_4050Å= 2400 M^–1 cm^–1) and tyrosine. The ability to eliminate water appears to be a general property of OH adducts of phenols.