Abstract A novel type of tripodal amido ligand with a totally siliconbased (trisilylsilane- derived) ligand framework has been synthesized and coordinated to tetravalent titanium and zirconium. The key compound in the ligand synthesis is the chlorosilane H 3 CSi {Si (CH 3) 2 CI} 3 (2) which upon condensation with a range of primary amines R-NH 2 (R= aryl, alkyl) yields the amino-functionalized ligand precursors H 3 CSi {Si (CH 3) 2 NHR} 3 (3a–e). ...