By exploiting the solubilizing effect of LiCl on peptides in THF, the water-sol. title compd. could be prepd., and its structure was detd. by NMR. Structural similarities and differences between the trilactam ring of [beta3-HGlu]3 and the corresponding trilactone ring, such as that of enterobactin, are discussed, and structures are proposed that should be able to serve as tridentate or trivalent ligands for metal centers.