Molecular complexes of group 13 element trihalides, pentafluorophenyl derivatives and Lewis superacids

•Complexes with donor–acceptor metal–metal bond are considered.•Structural features of molecular complexes of group 13 Lewis acids are presented.•Bifunctional Lewis acids and Lewis superacids are discussed.•Bond distance–valence angle relationship is analyzed.

In the present review recent advances in the chemistry of group 13 Lewis acids, such as intermolecular complexes with donor–acceptor metal–metal bonds, bifunctional Lewis acids and complexes of Lewis superacids, as well as selected examples of their application in different areas of chemistry are presented. Structural properties of molecular donor–acceptor complexes formed by strong group 13 element Lewis acids EX3 (E = B, Al, Ga; X = Cl, C6F5) with M,C,N,P,O,S-donor-ligands (M – main group or transition metal) are presented and changes in the geometry of the acceptor moiety upon complex formation are analyzed.