Well-defined arylâCuIII species undergo rapid reductive elimination upon reaction with phenolates (PhOâ), to form arylâOPh cross-coupling products. Kinetic studies show that the reaction follows a different mechanistic pathway compared to the reaction with phenols. The pH active cyclized pincer-like ligand undergoes an initial amine deprotonation that triggers a faster reactivity at room temperature. A mechanistic proposal for the enhanced reactivity and the role of EPR-detected CuII species will be discussed in detail.