It is used a crosslinking agent in the synthesis of polyimine networks and a tripodal ligand in coordination chemistry.

Tris(2-aminoethyl)amine has been used to prepare molecular capsules and related supramolecular structures.

[2][3][4] Tren is a C3-symmetric, tetradentate chelating ligand that forms stable complexes with transition metals, especially those in the 2+ and 3+ oxidation states.

Tren complexes exist with relatively few isomers, reflecting the constrained connectivity of this tetramine.

In a few cases, tren serves as a tridentate ligand with one of the primary amine groups non-coordinated.