Two novel star-like cyclam derivatives appended with four amino groups and four PEG-arms have been synthesised. The complex formation of cyclam and the two cyclam derivatives with Cu(II) has been studied by UV vis and time-resolved laserinduced fluorescence (TRLFS) measurements outlining 1:1 complexes between cyclam ligands and CU(II). By TRLFS measurements a quench effect of the CU(II) on the fluorescence of the ligand was also found to determine the complex formation between Cu(II) and the ligands. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.