1. In this paper, the structures and properties of tripodal compounds and th eir complexes are re-viewed.

2. These compounds have tripodal structure, can produce strong fluorescence and can coordinate selectively with rare earth ions.

3. In the last few years, the tripodal ligands bearing nitrogen atoms have drown much attention because of their polydentate, flexility and ease to synthesize.

4. Tripodal compounds with boron or phosphorus atoms at their centers.

5. So it is significant to synthesize functional tripodal complex, and study the interaction of complex with DNA.

6. During development, the tri-fighter was also called the tri-droid. That name was phased out, and eventually used to describe the tripodal assault droids seen on Mygeeto.