A cyclic analogue 4 of galardin, a known MMP inhibitor, is designed to impr
ove its selectivity. The synthesis of 4 starts from dimethyl (S)-malate usi
ng diaselective alkylation and subsequent cyclization and amide formation a
s key steps. The compound 4 showed MMP inhibitory activity on all MMPs test
ed with IC50 ranging from 20.1 muM to 104 muM.