The total synthesis of trifluoromethyl (Tfm) analogs of known nanomolar matrix metalloprotein ases (MMPs) inhibitors has been performed. The synthetic protocol is based on a moderately stereoselective aldol reaction of trifluoropyruvate with an N-acyl-oxazolidin-2-thione for the construction of the core alpha-Tfm-malic unit. Both the diastereomeric forms of the target alpha-Tfm-malic hydroxamates showed micromolar inhibitory potency toward MMP-2 and 9, with a substantial drop with respect to the parent unfluorinated compounds. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.