Recently it was reported that copper bicarbonate/carbonate complexes are good electro-catalysts for water oxidation. However, the results did not enable a decision whether the active oxidant is a Cu or a Cu complex. Kinetic analysis of pulse radiolysis measurements coupled with DFT calculations point out that Cu (CO ) complexes are the active intermediates in the electrolysis of Cu (CO ) solution. The results enable the evaluation of E°[(Cu (CO ) ) ]≈1.42 V versus NHE at pH 8.4. This redox potential is in accord with the electrochemical report. As opposed to literature suggestions for water oxidation, the present results rule out single-electron transfer from Cu (CO ) to yield hydroxyl radicals. Significant charge transfer from the coordinated carbonate to Cu results in the formation of C O by means of a second-order reaction of Cu (CO ) . The results point out that carbonate stabilizes transition-metal cations at high oxidation states, not only as a good sigma donor, but also as a non-innocent ligand.