.alpha.-Amino hydroxamic acid derivative of formula (I), in which R is C.sub.2 C.sub.7-alkyl, which is mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, nitro, lower acyloxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C.sub.3 C.sub.5-cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.3 C.sub.4-heteroaryl comprising one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N; or C.sub.3 C.sub.7-alkenyl or C.sub.3 C.sub.7-alkynyl, which in each case is unsubstituted or mono-, di- or trisubstituted by halogen, nitro, lower acyloxy, trifluoromethoxy, cyano, C.sub.3 C.sub.5-cycloalkyl or unsubstituted or substituted C.sub.3 C.sub.6-heteroaryl comprising one or two heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N; and the other symbols are as defined in claim 1, are described. These compounds are MMP and in particular MMP2 inhibitors and can be used for treatment of MMP dependent diseases, in particular inflammation conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, tumors (tumor growth, metastasis, progression or invasi n) and pulmonary disorders (e.g. emphysema, COPD).