Activation of the carbon-halogen bond in polyhalomethanes by copper(I) complexes

Abstract Amino complexes of copper(I) halides interact with tetrachloromethane, chloroform and bromotrichloromethane. This interaction is enabled by a change of oxidation state of Cu(I) to Cu(II), as evidenced by means of EPR spectra. The possibility of reversible formation of amino complexes of copper halides with coordinated radical species is examined.