Ligand rearrangement, carbonyl transfer

The third ligand was assumed to be coordinated to the metal center via the deprotonated 3-hydroxy and 4-carbonyl groups. This coordination mode allows delocalization of the electronic structure and intermolecu-lar electron transfer from the ligand to Cu(II). The Cu(I)-flavonoxy radical is in equilibrium with the precursor complex and formed at relatively low concentration levels. This species is attacked by dioxygen presumably at the C2 carbon atom of the flavonoxyl ligand. In principle, such an attack may also occur at the Cu(I) center, but because of the crowded coordination sphere of the metal ion it seems to be less favourable. The reaction is completed by the formation and fast rearrangement of a trioxametallocycle. 

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