The reactions of [Ru(III)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) (1) (edta = ethylenediaminetetraacetate) with tert-butylhydroperoxide ((t)BuOOH) and potassium hydrogenpersulfate (KHSO(5)) were studied kinetically as a function of oxidant concentration and temperature (10-30 degrees C) at a fixed pH of 6.1 using stopped-flow techniques. Kinetic results were analyzed by using global kinetic analysis techniques. The reaction was found to consist of two steps involving the rapid formation of a [Ru(III)(edta)(OOR)](2-) intermediate, which subsequently undergoes heterolytic cleavage to form [(edta)Ru(V)=O](-). Since [(edta)Ru(V)=O](-) was produced almost quantitatively in the reaction of 1 with the hydroperoxides (t)BuOOH and KHSO(5), the common mechanism is one of heterolytic scission of the O-O bond. The water soluble and easy to oxidize substrate 2,2'-azobis(3-ethylbenzithiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS), was employed to substantiate the mechanistic proposal. Reactions were carried out under pseudo-first order conditions for [ABTS] >> [hydroperoxide] >> [1], and were monitored as a function of time for the formation of the one-electron oxidation product ABTS (*+). The detailed suggested mechanism is consistent with the reported rate and activation parameters, and discussed in reference to the results reported for the reaction of [Ru(II)(edta)(H(2)O)](-) with H(2)O(2).