Synthesis and characterization of N,N′,C-bound organotellurium(IV) and organomercury(II) derivatives

•First examples of organotellurium and -mercury derivatives of a cis-pincer substrate.•The protonated N of terminal amine group doesn’t coordinate at all with Te.•Terminal amine group of organomercury compounds is not protonated under similar conditions and both the N atoms are weakly coordinated with Hg.•Crystal structures of organotellurium and mercury derivatives revealed the presence of characteristic intramolecular N⋯M, (M = Te, Hg) secondary bonding interactions (SBIs).