Intermediates in reactions of copper(I) complexes with N-oxides: from the formation of stable adducts to oxo transfer.

Reactions of copper(I) complexes of bidentate N-donor supporting ligands with pyridine- and trimethylamine-N-oxides or PhIO were explored. Key results include the identification of novel copper(I) N-oxide adducts, aryl substituent hydroxylation, and bis(mu-oxo)dicopper complex formation via a route involving oxo transfer.