Tetraxetan (also known as DOTA, a macrocyclic chelating agent) is a well-known polyaminocarboxylic acid compound used to strongly bind metal ions, especially radiometals, in medical and research applications. It was developed from advances in coordination and chelation chemistry in the late 20th century, when scientists were searching for highly stable ligands capable of safely carrying radioactive metals in the human body. Tetraxetan forms very stable complexes with metals such as gallium, indium, and lutetium, making it a key component in modern radiopharmaceuticals used for diagnostic imaging (like PET and SPECT) and targeted radionuclide therapy in oncology. Its strong metal-binding ability and biological stability have made it a cornerstone in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging development.
