The inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) has been considered a promising therapeutic strategy for treatment of many diseases, especially cancer. In the current study, a series of 8-substituted quinoline-2-carboxamide derivatives were designed and synthesized as potent HDAC inhibitors. The most potent compound 21 g (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.050 µM) exhibited 3-fold greater HDAC inhibitory activity compared to the known HDAC inhibitor Vorinostat (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.137 µM). Additionally, compound 21g exhibited low toxicity against normal cells(IC<sub>50</sub> in HUVEC cell > 50 µM) and showed good liver microsomal stability, therefore, may serve as a new lead compound for further development.