Electronic spectroscopy is employed to study the electronic structure and bonding of gas phase metal-ligand and carbon cluster ions. These ions are mass-selected and investigated using photodissociation spectroscopy. Metal ions such as Ag+, Mg+, Fe+, and U+ complexed with organic ligands like benzene are relevant as model systems for organometallic molecules, catalysts, charge transfer, and actinide chemistry. The bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of these complexes are determined by the onset wavelength of the photodissociation products. Carbon cluster cations are suspected to be in the interstellar medium, but their spectroscopy is difficult to measure. A new spectrum for C6+ was measured, consisting of a strong origin band, two vibronic bands, and four hot bands that correspond to a linear isomer. The deep UV spectroscopy of carbon clusters Cn+, n = 6 - 20, is measured due to astrochemical relevance. These studies are accompanied by theoretical calculations to assign measured spectra and calculate BDEs.