Metal-ligand coordination is one of the most important interactions used in supramolecular chemistry. Oli-gopyridine ligands can coordinate with many transition metal ions to form stable complexes with interesting magnetic, photophysical and electrochemical properties, so the synthetic methodologies for terpyridine ligands and their transition metal complexes have been attracting considerable attention. This review summarizes the synthetic methodologies for terpyridine and its derivatives. The reactions are mainly classified into two kinds: ring-forming condensation and transition metals catalyzed cross-coupling. Mean-while, some other methods are also emphasized and a number of representative examples are selected to il-lustrate the ligand structures and synthetic methods.

Key words: terpyridine ligand, synthesis, ring-forming condensation reaction, cross-coupling reaction