. The hydroxamate group in each compound assumes the trans conformation as observed in other secondary hydroxamic acids. The interchange of the C and N substituents influences the planarity and dimensions (C---~O, C--N bonds) of the hydroxa, mate moiety. In MTH the hydroxamate group shows significant deviation from planarity; the r.m.s, deviation of the four atoms, @--N--O(H), is 0.094 A, whereas in MPA it is only 0.004A. This nonplanarity is due largely to out-of-plane bending at N, XN = 23"9 (1) °, as compared to XN = 0"1 ° for MPA. The phenyl ring in MPA is nearly coplanar with the hydroxamate plane (dihedral angle of 10.3°), but is significantly rotated from the hydroxamate plane in MTH (dihedral angle of 43.8°). Electronic differences in the two molecules are considered.