The reactivity of the base induced cyclodimerization of 1-(6-arylpyridazin-3-yl)-3-oxidopyridinium chlorides in a pericyclic process have been investigated kinetically at λ 380 nm. The reaction was found to be second order with respect to the liberated betaine and zero order with respect to the base. On the other hand dedimerization (monomer formation) was found to be first order. It was shown that dimerization is favoured at low temperature, whereas dedimerization process is favoured at relatively high temperature (ca 70 °C). Solvent effects on the reaction rate have been found to follow the order ethanol > chloroform ≈ 1,2-dichloroethane. Complete dissociation was accomplished only in 1,2-dichloroethane at ca 70 °C. The thermodynamic activation parameters have been calculated by a standard method. Thus, ∆