We report a study on photo-ionization of benzene and aniline with incidental subsequent dissociation by the customized reflection time-of-flight mass spectrometer utilizing a deep ultraviolet 177.3 nm laser.Highly efficient ionization of benzene is observed with a weak C4H3+ fragment formed by undergoing disproportional C-C bond dissociation.In comparison,a major C5H6+ fragment and a minor C6H6+· radical are produced in the ionization of aniline pertaining to the removal of CNH· and NH· radicals,respectively.First-principles calculation is employed to reveal the photo-dissociation pathways of these two molecules having a structural difference of just an amino group.It is demonstrated that hydrogen atom transfer plays an important role in the cleavage of C-C or C-N bonds in benzene and aniline ions.This study is helpful to understand the underlying mechanisms of chemical bond fracture of benzene ring and related aromatic molecules.