Recent developments in the coordination chemistry of bis(imino)acenaphthene (BIAN) ligands with s- and p-block elements

Bis(imino)acenaphthenes (BIAN) have been known for many years. However, it is only since the 1990s that such compounds have been recognized as robust ligands for the support of catalytically active transition metal centers. More recently, the unique stereoelectronic properties of the BIAN ligand class are beginning to be appreciated and exploited for some fascinating new developments in synthetic, structural and catalytic s- and p-block chemistry.