Abstract: The present invention pertains to the general field of chemical synthesis, and more particularly to methods for the synthesis of certain hydroxamic acid compounds, and in particular, (E)-N-hydroxy-3-(3-phenylsulfamoyl-phenyl)-acrylamide, also known as PXD101 and Belinostat®, comprising, for example, the steps of: (SAF) sulfonamide formation; (PURC) optional purification; (AAA) alkenyl-acid addition, comprising: either (i): the steps of, in order: (ACAEA) alkenyl-carboxylic acid ester addition; (PURE) optional purification; and (CAD) carboxylic acid deprotection; or (ii): the step of: (ACAA) alkenyl-carboxylic acid addition; (PURF) optional purification; (HAF) hydroxamic acid formation; and (PURG) optional purification.