The synthesis of a rigid ditopic ligand incorporating a 1, 10-phenanthroline directly connected through its 3-position to the 5-position of a 2, 2′: 6′, 2 ″-terpyridine is described. The synthesis is based on a series of palladium (0)-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions (Stille and Suzuki couplings) starting from 1, 10-phenanthroline and bromo- substituted pyridines.