Selective MMP-13 inhibitors are isophthalic acid derivatives of the formula wherein: R1, R2, and R3 independently are 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; each 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, optionally containing a heteroatom selected from O, S, or NH, and optionally substituted or unsubstituted; n is 0 to 6; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds are useful for treating diseases in a mammal that are mediated by MMP enzymes.