A relatively non-toxic desazadesferrithiocin analog having the formula: wherein: R1, R2, R4 and R5 may be the same or different and may be H, straight or branched chain alkyl having up to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl, or arylalkyl wherein the aryl portion is hydrocarbyl and the alkyl portion is straight or branched chain, the arylalkyl group having up to 14 carbon atoms, R2 optionally being alkoxy having up to 14 carbon atoms; R3 is [(CH2)n—O]x—[(CH2)n—O]y-alkyl; n is, independently, an integer from 1 to 8; x is an integer from 1 to 8; y is an integer from 0 to 8, and R3O may occupy any position on the phenyl ring except the 4-position, or a salt, hydrate or solvate thereof; and methods and compositions for treating the effects of trivalent metal, i.e., iron, overload.