Di- and trivalent chromium bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine pincer complexes with good leaving groups

•Coordination of bis(pyrazol-3-yl)pyridine pincer ligand to Cr(II) and Cr(III)•CV and DFT calculations conclude that methylated pincer ligand is redox-active.•Nitrate is shown to be a stronger ligand than triflate.•Cr(II) complexes here show Jahn-Teller distortion.