| abstract |
Compounds of formula (I), wherein R2 represents a C2-C6 alkyl group which may contain an ether or thioether linkage; R3 represents (a) the side chain of a naturally occurring alpha-amino acid in which any carboxylic acid group may be esterified or amidated, any hydroxyl or thiol group may be acylated or alkylated (etherified) and any amino group may be acylated, or (b) a group R6(A)n- wherein n is 0 or 1, A represents a divalent C1-C6 alkyl or C2-C6 alkenyl group optionally interrupted by one or more -O-, or -S- atoms or -N(R7)- groups where R7 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, and R6 is a phenyl or heterocyclyl group either of which may be substituted, or (except where n is 0) a hydrogen atom; R4 represents hydrogen or methyl; R5 represents hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl(C1-C6 alkyl), and salts, solvates and hydrates thereof, are inhibitors of metalloproteinases involved in tissue degradation. |