Synthesis of Hydroxamic Acid Derivatives Using Blocked (Masked) -Isocyanate Precursors.

Hydroxamic acids are present in a several pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Synthetic strategies providing access to hydroxamic acid derivatives remain limited, typically requiring the use of nucleophilic hydroxylamine reagents. Herein, a synthesis of hydroxamates from unactivated carboxylic acids is reported making use of rare blocked (masked) -substituted isocyanates. The applicability of this transformation was highlighted by targeting the synthesis of vorinostat and belinostat derivatives.