BMOV

Bis(maltolato)oxovanadium(IV) (BMOV) can be synthesized by simple metathesis of vanadyl sulfate trihydrate and maltol (3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4-pyrone)  (1:2). The ligand itself is commercially available and is an approved food additive in many countries,  including Canada, the United Kingdom, and the  United States. BMOV can be prepared in >90% yield  in water, has a molecular weight of 317 and is soluble  (millimolar scale) in a number of organic solvents as  well as water. These properties together  (neutral charge and aqueous solubility) contribute  to high oral bioavailability. With these considerations in mind, the pentacoordinate, oxovanadium(IV) complex was developed, specifically as a potential insulin-mimetic agent.