Abstract: The invention relates to dicopper(I) oxalate complexes stabilised by neutral Lewis base components and to the use thereof as precursors for the deposition of metallic copper. The neutral Lewis bases used are alkynes or alkenes containing at least one silyl or ester group, or nitrites, saturated or unsaturated nitrogen ligands, phosphites, trialkyl-phosphines or oxygen- or sulfur-containing ligands.