Florian Hirsch, Kai Pachner, Ingo Fischer, Kevin Issler, Jens Petersen, Roland Mitric, Sjors Bakels, Anouk M. Rijs

• We report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para‐xylylene  was recorded, whereas ortho‐ and meta‐xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength  for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of theWe report infrared spectra of xylylene isomers in the gas phase, using free electron laser (FEL) radiation. All xylylenes were generated by flash pyrolysis. The IR spectra were obtained by monitoring the ion dip signal, using a IR/UV double resonance scheme. A gas phase IR spectrum of para‐xylylene  was recorded, whereas ortho‐ and meta‐xylylene were found to partially rearrange to benzocyclobutene and styrene. Computations of the UV oscillator strength  for all molecules were carried out and provde an explanation for the observation of the isomerization products.…