A series of metal-ligand complexes were prepared by the reaction of various metal ions, namely, Cu(II), Mn(II), or Fe(II) with phenolic derivatives of [catechol, chlorogenic acid (CGA), n-propyl gallate (nPG), 3-hydoxy anthranilic acid, resveratrol, and rutin] and characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy. The metal/ligand complexing ratio and complexation constants have been determined. The complexes were probed for their reactivity toward various free radicals (e(aq)(-), CO2center dot-, and O-2(center dot-)). Pulse radiolysis studies showed that the one-electron reduction of metal/phenol complexes by CO2center dot- radicals was metal-centered, and this was confirmed by the formation of an initial adduct with CO2center dot- radicals. Rate constants for the scavenging of superoxide anions with metal complexes ranged between 10(7)-10(9) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1) and those for the reaction of e(aq)(-) with the metal complexes were in the range of (1-5) x 10(9) dm(3) mol(-1) s(-1), depending on the pH of the solution. Cyclic and differential pulse voltammetric studies showed that the reduction potential of the complexes are found to range between -0.022 to 0.45 V vs normal hydrogen electrode.