A series of aromatic ketones incorporating the benzoyl and p-methoxybenzoyl moieties undergo two-photon photoionization under conditions of pulsed laser excitation in anionic micelles. Both sodium dodecyl sulfate and sodium cholate micelles promote charge separation and lead to hydrated electrons (e(aq)(-)) that can be readily detected by their absorption at lambda > 600 nm and through its reactions with oxygen and nitrous oxide. The lifetimes of e(aq)(-) are determined by small concentrations of aromatic ketone present in the aqueous phase.