Condensation of a catechol phosphine Pd complex [Pd(catphosH)2] with group-13 element acetylacetonates yields complexes [M(L)n(catphos)2Pd] or [M(catphos)2Pd}2]H (M = Al, Ga, In) whose relative stability is controlled by the size of the group-13 element. 1H NMR studies give insight into the proton mobility in a Pd2In complex.
Heavy group 13 element complexes of N2O2- and N2O4-type dipyrrins exhibited efficient luminescent properties and cation recognition ability.