The stability constants of lanthanide complexes with the potentially octadentate ligand CHXOCTAPA(4-), which contains a rigid 1,2-diaminocyclohexane scaffold functionalized with two acetate and two picolinate pendant arms, reveal the formation of stable complexes [log K-LaL = 17.82(1) and log K-YbL = 19.65(1)]. Luminescence studies on the Eu3+ and Tb3+ analogues evidenced rather high emission quantum yields of 3.4 and 11%, respectively. The emission lifetimes recorded in H2O and D2O solutions indicate the presence of a water molecule coordinated to the metal ion. H-1 nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion profiles and O-17 NMR chemical shift and relaxation measurements point to a rather low water exchange rate of the coordinated water molecule (k(ex)(298) = 1.58 x 106 s(-1)) and relatively high relaxivities of 5.6 and 4.5 mM(-1) s(-1) at 20 MHz and 25 and 37 degrees C, respectively. Density functional theory calculations and analysis of the paramagnetic shifts induced by Yb3+ indicate that the complexes adopt an unprecedented cis geometry with the two picolinate groups situated on the same side of the coordination sphere. Dissociation kinetics experiments were conducted by investigating the exchange reactions of LuL occurring with Cu2+. The results confirmed the beneficial effect of the rigid cyclohexyl group on the inertness of the Lu3+ complex. Complex dissociation occurs following proton- and metal-assisted pathways. The latter is relatively efficient at neutral pH, thanks to the formation of a heterodinuclear hydroxo complex.