Owing to the ability to form coordination complexes with several metal ions, hydroxamic acids have been widely used in the fields of medicinal chemistry, mineral flotation, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), remediation of metal contamination and more. Since three hydroxamic acid-based histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of haematologic malignancies, such functional groups have acquired even more attention in synthetic medicinal chemistry. However, application of hydroxamic acids for ore beneficiation is a unique area and has attracted the attention of few researchers. In order to provide insights for chemists in drug development, chelating mineral collector selection, remediation of metal pollution and preparation of MOFs, we summarize the applications of hydroxamic acids in the above-mentioned fields, and then introduce some related synthesis strategies including microwave synthesis, use of continuous flow reactors, solid-phase synthesis and enzymatic synthesis as supplements to classical synthetic methods.
