The design and synthesis of a new family of siderophores based on cycl
otriveratrylene is described. The ligands consist of a C3-cyclotrivera
trylene unit provided with three arms (spacers) ending with hydroxamat
e, catecholate, bipyridine, or iminopyridine units suitable for the oc
tahedral coordination of transition metals and particularly for the co
mplexation of iron(II) and iron(III).