We report the Mn(II) complexes with two pyclen-based ligands (pyclen = 3,6,9,15tetraazabicyclo[9.3.1]pentadeca-1(15),11,13-triene) functionalized with acetate pendant arms either at positions 3,6 (3,6-PC2A) or 3,9 (3,9-PC2A) of the macrocyclic fragment. The 3,6-PC2A ligand was synthesized in five steps from pyclenoxalate by protecting one of the secondary amine groups of pyclen using Alloc protecting chemistry. The complex with 3,9-PC2A is characterized by a higher thermodynamic stability (logKMnL = 17.09(2) than the 3,6-PC2A analogue (logKMnL = 15.53(1), 0.15 M NaCl). Both complexes contain a water molecule coordinated to the metal ion, which results in relatively high 1 H relaxivities (r1p = 2.72 and 2.91 mM -1 s -1 for the complexes with 3,6-and 3,9-PC2A, respectively, 25 ºC, 0.49 T). The coordinated water molecule displays fast exchange kinetics with the bulk in both cases; the rates (kex 298 ) are 14010 6 and 12610 6 s -1 for [Mn(3,6-PC2A)(H2O)] and [Mn(3,9-PC2A)(H2O)], respectively. The two complexes were found to be remarkably inert with respect to their dissociation, with half-lives of 63 and 21 h, respectively, at pH 7.4 in the presence of excess Cu(II). The r1p values recorded in blood serum remain constant at least over a period of 120 h. Cyclic voltammetry experiments show irreversible oxidation features shifted to higher potentials with respect to [Mn(EDTA)(H2O)] 2and [Mn(PhDTA)(H2O)] 2-, indicating that the PC2A complexes reported here have a lower tendency to stabilize Mn(III). The superoxide dismutase activity of the Mn(II) complexes was tested using the xanthine/xanthine oxidase/NBT assay at pH 7.8. The Mn(II) complexes of 3,6-PC2A and 3,9-PC2A are capable to assist the decomposition of superoxide anion radical. The kinetic rate constant of the complex of 3,9-PC2A is smaller by one order of magnitude than that of 3,6-PC2A.