CSi bond cleavage of trihalomethyltrimethylsilane by alkoxo- and aryloxogold or -copper complexes

The CSi bond cleavage of trihalomethyltrimethylsilane Me3SiCX3 (X=F, Cl) proceeds smoothly by alkoxo- and aryloxogold(I or III) or -copper(I) complexes Au(OR)L (OR=OCH(CF3)2, OPh), L=PCy3, PPh3, PMe2Ph, PMe3), cis-AuMe2(OPh)L (L=PMePh2, PEt3, PMe2Ph, PMe3), Cu(OR)(PPh3)3 (OR=OCH(CF3)2, OPh) to give trihalomethylgold or -copper complexes Au(CX3)L, cis-AuMe2(CF3)L, or Cu(CF3)L3 with liberation of the corresponding silyl ether Me3SiOR.