Triphenolamines are highly modular tetradentate molecules that effectively coordinate to transition metals and main group elements with podand topology. They form chiral complexes with intrinsically well defined coordination geometries controlled by the ligand, in particular by the nature of the substituents in ortho position to the phenol, which are able to influence their reactivity and stability. The metal complexes, especially Ti(iv) and V(v), have been found to be effective catalyst in polymerization reactions and oxygen transfer processes.