Occupied (bottom) and virtual (top) α-spin molecular orbitals comprised primarily of the Fe dyz, O–O σ*, and PhO− HOMO, shown at increasing O–O distances of 1.88, 2.25, and 2.6 Å. The change in population density illustrates the progressive transfer of an α electron from phenolate (occupied at the TS) into the O–O σ* (which increases in occupation).