A novel series of compounds containing a uracil moiety as the connection unit between a phenyl/phenylalkyl portion and a N-hydroxy-polymethylenealkanamide or -methylenecinnamylamide group (uracil-based hydroxamic acids, UBHAs) was tested against maize histone deacetylases (HDACs) and mouse HDAC1. Compounds with a phenyl/benzyl ring at the uracil-C6 position and bearing 4-5 carbon units as well as a