H 3 AXH n (A=B, Al, and Ga; XH n =NH 3 , PH 3 , AsH 3 , H 2 O, SH 2 and SeH 2 ) donor–acceptor complexes are studied from conformational and coordination-mode points of view at B3LYP/6-311+G(3df,2p) and CCSD(T)/6-311+G(3df,2p) levels of theory. The metallic character of gallium atom is responsible of the irregular structural and coordination mode trends in free and complexed gallane (GaH 3 ). The intuitive staggered conformation is not adopted by all compounds because there is, in some cases, competition between H(donor)–H(acceptor) electrostatic interaction and hyperconjugative electronic delocalisation. All H 3 AXH 3 (X=N, P, and As) complexes are staggered. In accordance with Pophristic–Goodman’s study (V. Pophristic, L. Goodman, Nature 411 (2001) 565), hyperconjugation is behind this geometrical preference. For the H 3 AYH 2 series, the H 3 BOH 2 staggered conformation is also favoured by this interaction. Nevertheless, H 3 AlOH 2 and H 3 GaOH 2 are curiously eclipsed and not favoured by the hyperconjugation. This paradox is clarified by both electrostatic and energetic delocalisation interactions analysis. The coordination mode is horizontally and vertically discussed in N and O groups of the periodic table within these complex sets.