The reaction of a copper complex bearing iminosemiquinone ligands with a CF3(+) source provides an unprecedented Cu(II)-CF3 complex through ligand-based oxidation. Reactivity of this complex leads to nucleophilic trifluoromethylation of the ligand, suggesting an electronic interplay that results in a formal umpolung of the initial CF3(+).

A series of new secondary phosphine oxide (SPO)–gold(I) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. Complexes exhibited dimeric structures interconnected by O–H···Cl hydrogen bonds. Their first use in homogeneous catalysis is reported and suggests a broad field of application in prototypical enyne cycloisomerization and hydroxy- and methoxycyclization reactions.