The present invention provides an cycloalkyl derivative of 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone which is useful for the chelation of metal ions such as iron. Its preparation and use is described. In particular, the invention concerns the removal of iron in chemical and biological systems including chelating agents having the formula (I) wherein R1 is X with the proviso that R2 is Y or R1 is T with the proviso that R2 is W or R1 is X with the proviso that R 2 R 5 N when taken together form a heterocyclic ring selected from piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or piperazinyl, wherein the group piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl or piperazinyl is either unsubstituted or substituted with one to three C1 to C6 alkyl groups. X is C3-C6 cycloalkyl Y is selected from the group consisting of C1 to C6 cycloalkyl C1 to C6 alkyl, and C1 to C6 alkyl monosubstituted with a C3-C6 cycloalkyl T is C1 to C6 alkyl W is C3-C6 cycloalkyl R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl R4 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl R5 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions of such compounds are useful in the removal of excess body iron from patients with iron overload diseases.La présente invention se rapporte à un dérivé cycloalkyle de 3-hydroxy-4-pyridinone, qui savère utile pour la chélation des ions métalliques tels que le fer. Elle concerne également la préparation et lutilisation de ce dérivé. Elle se rapporte en particulier à lextraction de fer dans des systèmes chimiques et biologiques incluant des agents de chélation représentés par la formule (I), dans laquelle R1 est X à condition que R2 soit Y ou R1 est T à condition que R2 soit W ou R1 est X à condition que R2 R5 N pris conjointement forment un anneau hétérocyclique sélectionné parmi piperidinyle, morpholinyle, pyrrolidinyle ou piperazinyle, ledit groupe piperidinyle, morpholiny
