Redox behavior of lanthanide and main group complexes supported by a "clamshell" 1,2-bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligand

The reactions of the "clamshell" 1,2-bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligand with decamethyleuropocene, boron triiodide, phosphorus triiodide, and tellurium tetraiodide have been investigated. The "clamshell" ligand undergoes one-electron reduction with decamethyleuropocene while treatment of this ligand with boron triiodide generates a BIAN-supported boron monoiodide via two-electron reduction. The reaction of the "clamshell" ligand with phosphorus triiodide involves a two-electron reduction of the BIAN backbone while that with tellurium tetraiodide yields a TeI2 complex without intermolecular charge transfer.