On the reactions of Cu(II/I)ATP complexes with methyl radicals.

The CuI/IIATP react with methyl radicals to form methane and methanol, where CuIATP reacts with •CH3 in a process that is surprisingly slow. The low-rate constant of this process is attributed to the significant rearrangement of the chelating ligand required for the transient's formation. These results were corroborated by DFT calculations of the relevant compounds.