N-mono/dimethylated TE2A tetraazamacrocycles (MM-TE2A and DM-TE2A) were synthesized in high yields. Both Cu-MM/DM-TE2A complexes showed increased kinetic stability compared to that of Cu-TE2A, whereas Cu-DM-TE2A showed even higher in vitro stability than that of Cu-ECB-TE2A. MM-TE2A and DM-TE2A were quantitatively radiolabeled with 64 Cu ions and showed rapid clearance from the body to emerge as a potential efficient bifunctional chelator. KEYWORDS: Bifunctional chelator, copper complex, imaging agent, radiopharmaceutical A dvances in metal-based radiopharmaceuticals are driving research and development for medical diagnosis and therapy. 1−3 Several copper radioisotopes ( 60 Cu, 61 Cu, 62 Cu, 64 Cu, and 67 Cu) have attractive physical properties for medical applications, and various radioactive copper labeled bioconjugates are in the clinical trial pipeline. 4−6 The successful development of Cu(II)-based radiopharmaceuticals is not only dependent on targeting biomolecules but also highly dependent on the proper choice of a bifunctional chelator (BFC) coordinating radioactive Cu(II) ions. 7−9 Enormous efforts to construct an ideal BFC have been seen in recent decades. These BFCs should be radiolabeled with radioactive copper ions at a mild temperature with fast reaction kinetics, form stable complex with Cu(II), and possess rapid body clearance.Various tetraazamacrocyclic BFCs containing N-acetic acid pendant arms have been utilized for Cu(II) complexation (Figure 1). The kinetic stability of BFC-Cu(II) complexes could indicate their in vivo stability more closely than thermodynamic stability. 10 The order of stability for the BFC-Cu(II) complexes is Cu-ECB-TE2A ≫ Cu-TETA ≈ Cu-DOTA > Cu-EDTA. 10,11 It is now well accepted that 64 Cu-TETA and 64 Cu-DOTA are prone to transchelation of 64 Cu ions to proteins under physiological conditions resulting in slow body clearance of radioactivity. 12,13 Ethylene cross-bridged (ECB)-TE2A shows excellent kinetic stability for Cu(II) ions in acid decomplexation experiments and equally good in vivo inertness. However, despite this high stability, ECB-TE2A suffers from shortcomings such as cumbersome synthesis (total synthesis time: 35 days and 45% overall yield from cyclam), and harsh radiolabeling conditions for 64 Cu ions (1−2 h at 75−95°C). 14, 15 We have reported that TE2A (1,8-N,N′-bis-(carboxymethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) is a better chelator for Cu(II) ions than TETA (1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane-1,4,8,11-tetraacetic acid) and DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclodo-