Tris(benzoimidazol)amine (L) complexes of pnictogen(iii) and pnictogen(v) cations and assessment of the [LP]3+/[LPF2]3+ redox couple.

A series of cationic complexes involving a pnictogen(iii) (Pn = P, As, Sb) centre and the tetradentate ligand tris((1-ethyl-benzoimidazol-2-yl)methyl)amine (BIMEt3) have been synthesized and comprehensively characterized. Oxidation of [P(BIMEt3)]3+ with XeF2 provides access to [PF2(BIMEt3)]3+ representing the first structurally characterized example of a phosphorus(v) centred trication.