| abstract |
Compounds of general formula (1) <IMAGE> (1) are described wherein Y is a halogen atom or a group -OR1, wherein R1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group; X is -O-, -S-, or -N(R6), wherein R6 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; R2 is an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, is each a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, -CO2R7 (wherein R7 is a hydrogen atom, am optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkanoyloxyalkyl or aroyloxyalkyl group), -CONR8R9 (where R8 and R9, which may be the same or different, is as defined for R7), -CSNR8R9, -CN or -CH2CN group; Z is -(CH2)n- where n is zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3; R5 is an optionally substituted monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms; and the salts, solvates, hydrates, prodrugs and N-oxides thereof. Compounds according to the invention are potent and selective phosphodiesterase type IV inhibitors and are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases such as asthma where an unwanted inflammatory response or muscular spasm is present. |