The interaction of CH2I2 and CH2ICl with 60 fs laser pulses at 800 and 400 nm has been studied using TOF-MS. Molecular detachment of I-2(+) and CII+ are observed. The generation of I-2(+) and CII+ can be understood by a concerted elimination mechanism. The kinetic energy released is estimated from the peak splitting of I2+ obtained in the TOF-MS, originated from Coulomb explosion. According to the results, multiphoton ionization is excluded from the possible mechanisms. The observed phenomena are attributed to the interaction of the intense laser field with the molecular potential energy surfaces. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.