Novel organometallic 99mTc(I)-folate derivatives have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro and in vivo in order to assess the influence of the overall charge of the radioconjugates and the spacer entity on the affinity and pharmacokinetic profile. Folic acid has been functionalized at the gamma-carboxylate group of the glutamate moiety with (i) a hydrophilic diethoxyethyl spacer bearing a picolylamine monoacetic acid chelate, (ii) a hexyl spacer bearing an iminodiacetic acid chelate, and (iii) a hexyl spacer with a bis(pyridylmethyl)amine chelating system. Coordination of the 99mTc(CO)3-core resulted in neutral complex 21, anionic complex 22, and cationic complex 23 in excellent yields (>90%) at ligand concentrations of 10(-4) M. Complexes 21-23 were HPLC purified for in vitro and in vivo experiments. In the case of 23, separation from the unlabeled folate analogue was incomplete, leading to low specific activity and, hence, significantly inferior in vivo uptake in folate-receptor-positive (FR-positive) organs and tissues (tumors and kidneys). Time dependent in vivo studies were performed in female, athymic nude mice bearing subcutaneous FR-positive human KB cell xenografts at 1, 4, and 24 h post injection (p.i.) of the radiotracers. Tumor uptake ranged between 1.9-2.7% ID/g, 4 h p.i. and 1.6-2.2% ID/g, 24 h p.i. for 21 and 22, and 0.9% ID/g, 4 h p.i. and 1.1% ID/g, 24 h p.i. for 23. Blood clearance was fast for all derivatives (< or =0.2% ID/g 1 h p.i.). Significant fractions of radioactivity were found in nontargeted and FR-negative organs and tissues (particularly in the liver and the intestines/intestinal contents) at early time points p.i. Coadministration of folic acid reduced radioactivity in FR-positive tissues and organs to background levels. In conclusion, overall charge and the nature of the spacer entity seemed to have a relatively minor influence on receptor affinity and the in vivo pharmacokinetic profile of the tested radiofolates.