The photodissociation of nitrotoluenes at 193 and 248 nm was investigated, employing laser photolysis-laser induced fluorescence technique. OH was observed as a photoproduct on photodissociation of only o-nitrotoluene. At both the wavelengths of photolysis, 14 OH was formed in both vibrationally ground state, v" = 0, and the excited state, v" = 1. The energy partitioned as translational energy of the photofragment, on photolysis at 193 and 248 nm, was found to be 15.2 +/- 4.0 and 16.0 +/- 3.5 kcal/mol, respectively. No preferential population of spin orbit states was observed at both the wavelengths. However, A-doublet states show non-statistical distribution at 248 nm photolysis. Various channels of dissociation leading to OH are examined. Based on partitioning of translational energy and A-doublet states ratios, OH formation is attributed to different isomers at two wavelengths. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.