Significant rate enhancements are found for benzyl alcohol oxidation by the Ru-V=O3+ form of the water oxidation catalyst [Ru(Mebimpy)(bpy)(OH2)](2+) [Mebimpy = 2,6-bis(1-methylbenzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine] compared to Ru-IV=O2+ and for the Ru-IV=O2+ form with added bases due to a new pathway, concerted hydride proton transfer (HPT).