The photodecomposition of [Co(NH3)5OC(O)CH2C6H5](ClO4)2 is a convenient source of benzyl radicals in aqueous systems. The radicals react with cupric ions with a rate constant of (2.1 ± 0.2) × 107 M−1 s−1 to yield a complex that is formed reversibly. This complex can decay to Cu(I), but at high radical concentrations the recombination of benzyl radicals in equilibrium with it can become the predominant decay path. The reaction of benzyl radicals (from 1,3-diphenylacetone) in anionic micelles in the presence of Cu2+ leads to strong signals from the same intermediate, CuCH2C6H52+.