The Chemistry of Hydroxamic Acids

Abstract

This chapter presents the chemical structure of hydroxamic acids, the routes of their synthesis, and their chemical properties. A discussion is presented as to how their metal chelating and hydrogen bonding properties make them a class of compounds that may have multiple biological activities. A brief description of all important enzymes that can be inhibited by hydroxamic acids is also presented. The most important enzymes that are inhibited by hydroxamic acids are matrix metalloproteinases, TNF-α converting enzyme, angiotensin-converting enzyme, lipoxygenase, LTA4 hydrolase, urease, peptide deformylase, histone deacetylase, UDP-3-O-[R-3-hydroxymyristoyl]-GlcNAc deacetylase, procollagen C-proteinase, aggrecanase, and carbonic anhydrase. Thus the hydroxamic acid moiety plays an important role as a pharmacophore to develop drugs against a variety of diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, HIV, Alzheimer’s, malaria, allergic diseases, tuberculosis, metal poisoning, iron overload, etc. Besides, hydroxamic acid moiety has also been exploited to develop potential insecticides, antimicrobials, antioxidants, anti-corrosive agents, siderophores, and as a means of flotations of minerals. It is also discussed that hydroxamic acids are also effective nitric oxide (NO) donors, because of which they produce hypotensive effects.