Selective MMP-13 inhibitors are pyrimidine derivatives of the formula or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: R2 is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, NO2, NR4R5, CN, or CF3; E is independently O or S; A and B independently are OR4 or NR4R5; R4 and R5 independently are H, C1-C6 alkyl, C2-C6 alkenyl, C2-C6 alkynyl, (CH2)n aryl, (CH2)n cycloalkyl, (CH2)n heteroaryl, or R4 and R5 when taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached complete a 3- to 8-membered ring containing carbon atoms and optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S, or NH, and optionally substituted or unsubstituted; n is an integer of from 0 to 6.