For the design of the prodrugs, different reported HDAC1-3 inhibitors (I-II and IV-VI; Fig. ) were selected, and their aminobenzamide group was masked with different nitroaryl alcohols, such as 4-nitrobenzyl or 1-methyl-2-nitroimidazolyl alcohols (Fig. ), through a carbamate linker. This attachment should result in reducing the binding to the targeted protein (since such sterically demanding groups are not accepted by the narrow HDAC1-3 binding tunnel), and accordingly, the HDAC inhibitory activity of these prodrugs is expected to decrease. In addition, the carbamate linker was chosen as it is in vivo more stable compared to corresponding carbonates or ester groups . Additionally, the carbamic acid formed after the elimination of the nitroaromatic prodrug moiety can undergo fast and irreversible selfimmolation, which finally results in the formation of the free aminobenzamide and CO2, as shown in Fig. .