Tetrahydroisoquinoline based sulfonamide hydroxamates as potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors

The synthesis and MMP inhibitory activity of a series of tetrahydroisoquinoline based sulfonamide hydroxamates are described. In nine MMPs tested, most of the compounds display potent inhibition activity except for MMP-7. Some subtle isozyme selectivity is observed by varying the substituents at the 6- and 7-positions and aromatic ring of arylsulfonyl groups.