Kinetics of oxidation of phenol by [Ru-IV(tpy)(pic)(O)](+) (tpy = 2,2',6',2 ''-terpyridine; pic = picolinate) (1) has been studied in aqueous solution using a rapid scan stopped-flow spectrophotometer. Under pseudo-first order conditions of excess phenol concentrations, the rate of reaction was found to be first order in respect to both 1 and phenol concentrations. Quinones and [Ru-II(tpy)(pic)(H2O)](+) (2) were found to be the ultimate products of the reaction. Kinetic results were analyzed by using global kinetic analysis techniques and a working mechanism in agreement with the rate and activation parameters is presented. The experimental results are discussed in reference to data reported for the phenol oxidation by relevant (RuO)-O-IV = systems. Catalytic ability of 2 in effecting phenol oxidation in the presence of t-BuOOH has been explored. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.