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[Abstract] A highly rigid open-chain octadentate ligand (H4cddadpa) containing a diaminocylohexane unit to replace the ethylenediamine bridge of 6,6′-[(ethane-1,2 diylbis{(carboxymethyl)azanediyl})bis(methylene)] dipicolinic acid (H4octapa) was synthesized. This structural modification improves the thermodynamic stability of the Gd3+ complex slightly (log KGdL=20.68 vs. 20.23 for [Gd(octapa)]−) while other MRI-relevant parameters remain unaffected (one coordinated water molecule; relaxivity r1=5.73 mm−1 s−1 at 20 MHz and 295 K). Kinetic inertness is improved by the rigidifying effect of the diaminocylohexane unit in the ligand skeleton (half-life of dissociation for physiological conditions is 6 orders of magnitude higher for [Gd(cddadpa)]− (t1/2=1.49×105 h) than for [Gd(octapa)]−. The kinetic inertness of this novel chelate is superior by 2–3 orders of magnitude compared to non-macrocyclic MRI contrast agents approved for clinical use.