Exceptionally easy to make in over 90 % yield (see scheme) and air-stable in the solid state, [(Ph₃P)₃Cu(CF₃)] is a remarkable example of a rarely encountered well-defined Cu(I) trifluoromethylating agent and a convenient starting material for the synthesis of other CuCF₃ complexes, such as [(phen)Cu(PPh₃)(CF₃)].