The kinetics of oxidation of methylxanthine drug, theophylline (TP), by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) has been investigated in the absence and presence of ruthenium(III) (Ru(III)) as homogeneous catalyst in alkaline medium at a constant ionic strength of 0.21 mol dm−3 spectrophotometrically. The reaction exhibits 1:4 stoichiometry ([TP] : [DPC]) in both the cases. The order of the reaction with respect to [DPC] was unity, while the order with respect to [TP] was less than unity over the concentration range studied in both the cases. The rate was increased with an increase in [OH−] and decreased with an increase in [IO4−]. The order with respect to [Ru(III)] was unity. The ionic strength and dielectic constant of the medium did not affect the rate significantly. The main product 1‐methyl‐(3‐N‐formyl)‐2,4‐purinodione was identified by spot tests, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry spectral studies. Based on the experimental results, the possible mechanisms were proposed. The reaction constants involved in the different steps of the mechanisms were evaluated. The catalytic constant (Kc) was also calculated for Ru(III) catalysis at different temperatures. The activation parameters with respect to the catalyst and slow step of the mechanisms were computed, and thermodynamic quantities were determined. Kinetic studies suggest that the active species of DPC and Ru(III) are found to be [Cu(H2IO6)(H2O)2] and [Ru(H2O)5OH]2+, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.