Abstract: | A cyclic analogue 4 of galardin, a known MMP inhibitor, is designed to improve its selectivity. The synthesis of 4 starts from dimethyl (S)‐malate using diaselective alkylation and subsequent cyclization and amide formation as key steps. The compound 4 showed MMP inhibitory activity on all MMPs tested with IC30, ranging from 20.1 μM to 104 μM. |