Abstract The synthesis of the new polydentate ligand AAZ2A2P Et derived from the heptadentate polyaminocarboxylic ligand AAZTA (6-amino-6-methylperhydro-1, 4-diazepine- N, N′, N ″, N ″-tetraacetic acid) in which two acetate groups were replaced by methyleneethylphosphinic pendant arms is reported. The relaxometric behavior of the corresponding mono-aquo Gd III complex was also investigated.