Cu complexes of the form K[(R P)Cu(pin )], in which (pin ) is the bidentate, oxygen-donating ligand perfluoropinacolate, were synthesized and characterized. Low-temperature oxygenation of the K[(R P)Cu(pin )(PR )] species resulted in a trisanionic bis(μ -oxo) trinuclear copper(II,II,III) core characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy (λ [nm] = 330, 535, 630), cryospray-ionization mass spectrometry, and X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (derivative resonance at 3300 G, Δm =2 at 1500 G). The kinetic behavior of the trimeric {Cu O } species was quantified by stopped-flow spectroscopy and the associated electronic structures were investigated by DFT calculations. An asymmetric {Cu O } species, T , which bears a structure similar to multicopper oxidases, forms prior to full formation of the symmetric trinuclear core, T . The trimer catalytically oxidizes para-hydroquinone to benzoquinone (a form of oxidase chemistry).