Bound excited electronic states are observed in the anions of 7,7,8,8-
tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), 2,5-dimethyl-N,N'-dicyanoquinodiimine
(Me(2)-DCNQI), chloranil, and hexacyanobutadiene using electron photo
detachment spectroscopy. Intensity dependence studies and two color ex
periments are consistent with a two-photon detachment mechanism. A mec
hanism is proposed to explain the observed photodetachment. The nature
of the electronic state responsible for these excited states is discu
ssed and other anions are suggested which should posses bound excited
electronic states.