[1] The compound and its derivatives have been extensively characterized by X-ray crystallography.

It adopts the Chinese lantern structure seen for many dimetal carboxylate complexes.

This structure accommodates a Rh-Rh bond, the existence of which explains the diamagnetism of this Rh(II) species.

Rhodium(II) trifluoroacetate forms adducts with a variety of Lewis bases.

[4] Rhodium(II) trifluoroacetate catalyzes cyclopropanation of alkenes by diazo compounds:[1] RCH=CR'H + CH3CH2O2CCH(N2) → cyclo−(RCH)(R'CH)(CH3CH2O2CCH) + N2