COPPER(II) 4-OXOPENT-2-EN-2-OLATE (Copper(II) acetylacetonate [Cu(acac)2]) is a soluble copper catalyst that has been widely employed in many types of reactions. It is a powerful reagent in organic synthesis. Anticancer properties of Copper(II) acetylacetonate complex was found by treating different cancer cell lines. The TUNEL assay showed a strong positivity in the C6 cells treated with Cu(acac)2 and this indicates that the Cu compounds initiated cell death by DNA fragmentation.

Copper selenite is used as a catalyst in the Kjeldahl digestion of nitrogenous materials.