COMPOUNDS

The present invention relates to novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and their use in treating allergic and inflammatory diseases and for inhibiting the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).

Bronchial asthma is a complex, multifactorial disease characterized by reversible narrowing of the airway and hyperreactivity of the respiratory tract to external stimuli.

Identification of novel therapeutic agents for asthma is made difficult by the fact that multiple mediators are responsible for the development of the disease. Thus, it seems unlikely that eliminating the effects of a single mediator will have a substantial effect on all three components of chronic asthma. An alternative to the "mediator approach" is to regulate the activity of the cells responsible for the pathophysiology of the disease.

One such way is by elevating levels of cAMP (adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate). Cyclic AMP has been shown to be a second messenger mediating the biologic responses to a wide range of hormones, neurotransmitters and drugs; [Krebs Endocrinology Proceedings of the 4th International Congress Excerpta Medica, 17-29, 1973]. When the appropriate agonist binds to specific cell surface receptors, adenylate cyclase is activated, which converts Mg⁺²-ATP to cAMP at an accelerated rate.

Cyclic AMP modulates the activity of most, if not all, of the cells that contribute to the pathophysiology of extrinsic (allergic) asthma. As such, an elevation of cAMP would produce beneficial effects including: 1) airway smooth muscle relaxation, 2) inhibition of mast cell mediator release, 3) suppression of neutrophil degranulation, 4) inhibition of basophil degranulation, and 5) inhibition of monocyxe and macrophage activation. Hence, compounds that activate adenylate cyclase or inhibit phosphodiesterase should be effective in suppressing the inappropriate activation of airway smooth muscle and a wide variety of inflammatory cells. The principal cellular mechanism for the inactivation of cAMP is hydrolysis of the 3'-phosphodiester bond by one or more of a family of isozymes referred to as cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs).

It has now been shown that a distinct cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) isozyme, PDE IV, is responsible for cAMP breakdown in airway smooth muscle and inflammatory cells. [Torphy, "Phosphodiesterase Isozymes: Potential Targets for Novel Anti-asthmatic Agents" in New Drugs for Asthma, Barnes, ed. IBC Technical Services Ltd., 1989]. Research indicates that inhibition of this enzyme not only produces airway smooth muscle relaxation, but also suppresses degranulation of mast cells, basophils and neutrophils along with inhibiting the activation of monocytes and neutrophils. Moreover, the beneficial effects of PDE IV inhibitors are markedly potentiated when adenylate cyclase activity of target cells is elevated by appropriate hormones or autocoids, as would be the case in vivo. Thus PDE IV inhibitors would be effective in the asthmatic lung, where levels of prostaglandin E₂ and prostacyclin (activators of adenylate cyclase) are elevated. Such compounds would offer a unique approach toward the pharmacotherapy of bronchial asthma and possess significant therapeutic advantages over agents currently on the market.

The compounds of this invention also inhibit the production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a serum glycoprotein. Excessive or unregulated TNF production has been implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis and other arthritic conditions; sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaria, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, silicosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, reperfusion injury, graft vs. host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia secondary to human acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS, ARC (AIDS related complex), keloid formation, scar tissue formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or pyresis, in addition to a number of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosis.

AIDS results from the infection of T lymphocytes with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). At least three types or strains of HIV have been identified, i.e., HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-3. As a consequence of HIV infection, T-cell-mediated immunity is impaired and infected individuals manifest severe opportunistic infections and/or unusual neoplasms. HIV entry into the T lymphocyte requires T lymphocyte activation. Viruses such as HIV-1 or HIV-2 infect T lymphocytes after T cell activation and such virus protein expression and/or replication is mediated or maintained by such T cell activation. Once an activated T lymphocyte is infected with HIV, the T lymphocyte must continue to be maintained in an activated state to permit HIV gene expression and/or HIV replication.

Cytokines, specifically TNF, are implicated in activated T-cell-mediated HIV protein expression and/or virus replication by playing a role in maintaining T lymphocyte activation. Therefore, interference with cytokine activity such as by inhibition of cytokine production, notably TNF, in an HIV-infected individual aids in limiting the maintenance of T cell activation, thereby reducing the progression of HIV infectivity to previously uninfected cells which results in a slowing or elimination of the progression of immune dysfunction caused by HIV infection. Monocytes, macrophages, and related cells, such as kupffer and glial cells, have also been implicated in maintenance of the HIV infection. These cells, like T cells, are targets for viral replication and the level of viral replication is dependent upon the activation state of the cells. [See Rosenberg et al., The Immunopathogenesis of HIV Infection, Advances in Immunology, Vol. 57, 1989]. Monokines, such as TNF, have been shown to activate HIV replication in monocytes and/or macrophages [See Poli et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 87:782-784, 1990], therefore, inhibition of monokine production or activity aids in limiting HIV progression as stated above for T cells.

TNF has also been implicated in various roles with other viral infections, such as the cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza virus, adenovirus, and the herpes virus for similar reasons as those noted.

TNF is also associated with yeast and fungal infections. Specifically Candida albicans has been shown to induce TNF production in vitro in human monocytes and natural killer cells. [See Riipi et al., Infection and Immunity, 58(9):2750-54, 1990; and Jafari et al., Journal of Infectious Diseases, 164:389-95, 1991. See also Wasan et al., Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 35,(10):2046-48, 1991; and Luke et al., Journal of Infectious Diseases, 162:211-214,1990].

The ability to control the adverse effects of TNF is furthered by the use of the compounds which inhibit TNF in mammals who are in need of such use. There remains a need for compounds which are useful in treating TNF-mediated disease states which are exacerbated or caused by the excessive and/or unregulated production of TNF.

This invention relates to the novel compounds of Formula (I) as shown below, useful in the mediation or inhibition of the enzymatic activity (or catalytic activity) of phosphodiesterase IV (PDE IV). These compounds also have Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) inhibitory activity.

This invention also relates to the pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

The invention also relates to a method of mediation or inhibition of the enzymatic activity (or catalytic activity) of PDE IV in mammals, including humans, which comprises administering to a mammal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) as shown below.

The invention further provides a method for the treatment of allergic and inflammatory disease which comprises administering to a mammal, including humans, in need thereof, an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I).

The invention also provides a method for the treatment of asthma which comprises administering to a mammal, including humans, in need thereof, an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I).

This invention also relates to a method of inhibiting TNF production in a mammal, including humans, which method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment, an effective TNF inhibiting amount of a compound of Formula (I). This method may be used for the prophylactic treatment or prevention of certain TNF mediated disease stares amenable thereto.

This invention also relates to a method of treating a human afflicted with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which comprises administering to such human an effective TNF inhibiting amount of a compound of Formula (I).

Compounds of Formula (I) are also useful in the treatment of additional viral infections, where such viruses are sensitive to upregulation by TNF or will elicit TNF production in vivo.

In addition, compounds of Formula (I) are also useful in treating yeast and fungal infections, where such yeast and fungi are sensitive to upregulation by TNF or will elicit TNF production in vitro.

The novel compounds of this invention are represented, in part, by Formula (I):    wherein:

1. R₁ is -(CR₄R₅)_nC(O)O(CR₄R₅)_mR₆, -(CR₄R₅)_nC(O)NR₄(CR₄R₅)_mR_6, -(CR₄R₅)_nO(CR₄R₅)_mR_6, or -(CR₄R₅)_rR₆ wherein the alkyl moieties may be optionally substituted with one or more halogens;
2. m is 0 to 2;
3. n is 1 to 4;
4. r is 1 to 6;
5. R₄ and R₅ are independently selected hydrogen or C_1-2 alkyl;
6. R₆ is hydrogen, methyl, hydroxyl, aryl, halo substituted aryl, aryloxyC_1-3 alkyl, halo substituted aryloxyC_1-3 alkyl, indanyl, indenyl, C_7-11 polycycloalkyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, furanyl, tetrahydropyranyl, pyranyl, tetrahydrothienyl, thienyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, thiopyranyl, C_3-6 cycloalkyl, or a C_4-6 cycloalkyl containing one or two unsaturated bonds, wherein the cycloalkyl and heterocyclic moieties may be optionally substituted by 1 to 3 methyl groups or one ethyl group; provided that:
7. a) when R₆ is hydroxyl, then m is 2; or
8. b) when R₆ is hydroxyl, then r is 2 to 6; or
9. c) when R₆ is 2-tetrahydropyranyl, 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, or 2-tetrahydrothienyl, then m is 1 or 2; or
10. d) when R₆ is 2-tetrahydropyranyl, 2-tetrahydrothiopyranyl, 2-tetrahydrofuranyl, or 2-tetrahydrothienyl, then r is 1 to 6;
11. e) when n is 1 and m is 0, then R₆ is other than H in -(CR₄R₅)_nO(CR₄R₅)_mR₆;
12. X is YR₂, halogen, nitro, NR₄R₅, or formyl amine;
13. Y is O or S(O)_m';
14. m' is 0, 1, or 2;
15. X₂ is O or NR₈;
16. X₃ is hydrogen or X;
17. R₂ is independently selected from -CH₃ or -CH₂CH₃ optionally substituted by 1 or more halogens;
18. s is 0 to 4;
19. R₃ is hydrogen, halogen, C_1-4 alkyl, halo-substituted C_1-4 alkyl, CH₂NHC(O)C(O)NH₂, -CH=CR_8'R_8', cyclopropyl optionally substituted by R_8', CN, OR₈, CH₂OR₈, NR₈R₁₀, CH₂NR₈R₁₀, C(Z')H, C(O)OR₈, C(O)NR₈R₁₀, or C≡CR_8';
20. Z' is O, NR₉, NOR₈, NCN, C(-CN)₂, CR₈CN, CR₈NO₂, CR₈C(O)OR₈, CR₈C(O)NR₈R₈, C(-CN)NO₂, C(-CN)C(O)OR₉, or C(-CN)C(O)NR₈R₈;
21. Z is C(-CN)₂, CR₁₄CN, CR₁₄C(O)OR₈, CR₁₄C(O)NR₈R₁₄, C(-CN)NO₂, C(-CN)C(O)OR₉, C(-CN)OC(O)R₉, C(-CN)OR₉, or C(-CN)C(O)NR₈R₁₄;
22. R₇ is -(CR₄R₅)_qR₁₂ or C_1-6 alkyl wherein the R₁₂ or C_1-6 alkyl group is optionally substituted one or more times by methyl or ethyl optionally substituted by 1-3 fluorines, -F, -Br, -Cl, -NO₂, -NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(O)R₈, -CO₂R₈, -OR₈, -CN, -C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -OC(O)R₈, -NR₁₀C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)OR₉, -NR₁₀C(O)R₁₃, -C(NR₁₀)NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(NCN)NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(NCN)SR₉, -NR₁₀C(NCN)SR₉, -NR₁₀C(NCN)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀S(O)₂R₉, -S(O)_m'R₉, -NR₁₀C(O)C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)C(O)R₁₀, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, or tetrazolyl;
23. q is 0, 1, or 2;
24. R₁₂ is C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, (2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl), pyrimidyl, pyrazolyl, (1- or 2-imidazolyl), thiazolyl, triazolyl, pyrrolyl, piperazinyl, piperidinyl, morpholinyl, furanyl, (2- or 3-thienyl), (4- or 5-thiazolyl), quinolinyl, naphthyl, or phenyl;
25. R₈ is independently selected from hydrogen or R₉;
26. R_8' is R₈ or fluorine;
27. R₉ is C_1-4 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three fluorines;
28. R₁₀ is OR₈ or R₁₁;
29. R₁₁ is hydrogen, or C_1-4 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three fluorines; or when R₁₀ and R₁₁ are as NR₁₀R₁₁ they may together with the nitrogen form a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing at least one additional heteroatom selected from O, N, or S;
30. R₁₃ is oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, or thiadiazolyl, and each of these heterocyclic rings is connected through a carbon atom and each may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or two C_1-2 alkyl groups;
31. R₁₄ is hydrogen or R₇; or when R₈ and R₁₄ are as NR₈R₁₄ they may together with the nitrogen form a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing one or more additional heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; provided that:
32. f) when R₁₂ is N-pyrazolyl, N-imidazolyl, N-triazolyl, N-pyrrolyl, N-piperazinyl, N-piperidinyl, or N-morpholinyl, then q is not 1;
33. or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

This invention also relates to a method of mediating or inhibiting the enzymatic activity (or catalytic activity) of PDE IV in a mammal in need thereof and to inhibiting the production of TNF in a mammal in need thereof, which comprises administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I).

Phosphodiesterase IV inhibitors are useful in the treatment of a variety of allergic and inflammatory diseases including: asthma, chronic bronchitis, atopic dermatitis, urticaria, allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, vernal conjunctivitis, cosinophilic granuloma, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic shock, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, reperfusion injury of the myocardium and brain, chronic glomerulonephritis, endotoxic shock and adult respiratory distress syndrome. In addition, PDE IV inhibitors are useful in the treatment of diabetes insipidus and central nervous system disorders such as depression and multi-infarct dementia.

The viruses contemplated for treatment herein are those that produce TNF as a result of infection, or those which are sensitive to inhibition, such as by decreased replication, directly or indirectly, by the TNF inhibitors of Formula (1). Such viruses include, but are not limited to HIV-1, HIV-2 and HIV-3, cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza, adenovirus and the Herpes group of viruses, such as, but not limited to, Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex.

This invention more specifically relates to a method of treating a mammal, afflicted with a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which comprises administering to such mammal an effective TNF inhibiting amount of a compound of Formula (I).

The compounds of this invention may also be used in association with the veterinary treatment of animals, other than in humans, in need of inhibition of TNF production. TNF mediated diseases for treatment, therapeutically or prophylactically, in animals include disease states such as those noted above, but in particular viral infections. Examples of such viruses include, but are not limited to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) or other retroviral infection such as equine infectious anemia virus, caprine arthritis virus, visna virus, maedi virus and other lentiviruses.

The compounds of this invention are also useful in treating yeast and fungal infections, where such yeast and fungi are sensitive to upregulation by TNF or will elicit TNF production in vivo. A preferred disease state for treatment is fungal meningitis. Additionally, the compounds of Formula (I) may be administered in conjunction with other drugs of choice for systemic yeast and fungal infections. Drugs of choice for fungal infections, include but are not limited to the class of compounds called the polymixins, such as Polymycin B, the class of compounds called the imidazoles, such as clotrimazole, econazole, miconazole, and ketoconazole; the class of compounds called the triazoles, such as fluconazole, and itranazole, and the class of compound called the Amphotericins, in particular Amphotericin B and liposomal Amphocericin B.

The compounds of Formula (I) may also be used for inhibiting and/or reducing the toxicity of an anti-fungal, anti-bacterial or anti-viral agent by administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to a mammal in need of such treatment. Preferably, a compound of Formula (I) is administered for inhibiting or reducing the toxicity of the Amphotericin class of compounds, in particular Amphotericin B.

Preferred compounds are as follows:

When R₁ for the compounds of Formula (I) is an alkyl substituted by 1 or more halogens, the halogens are preferably fluorine and chlorine, more preferably a C_1-4 alkyl substituted by 1 or more fluorines. The preferred halo-substituted alkyl chain length is one or two carbons, and most preferred are the moieties -CF₃, -CH₂F, -CHF₂, -CF₂CHF₂, -CH₂CF₃, and -CH₂CHF₂. Preferred R₁ substitutents for the compounds of Formula (I) are CH₂-cyclopropyl, CH₂-C_5-6 cycloalkyl, C_4-6 cycloalkyl, C_7-11 polycycloalkyl, (3- or 4-cyclopentenyl), phenyl, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, benzyl or C_1-2 alkyl optionally substituted by 1 or more fluorines, -(CH₂)_1-3C(O)O(CH2)_0-2CH₃, -(CH₂)_1-3O(CH₂)_0-2CH₃, and -(CH₂)_2-4OH.

When the R₁ term is (CR₄R₅), the R₄ and R₅ terms are independently hydrogen or alkyl. This allows for branching of the individual methylene units as (CR₄R₅)_n or (CR₄R₅)_m; each repeating methylene unit is independent of the other, e.g., (CR₄R₅)_n wherein n is 2 can be -CH₂CH(-CH₃)-, for instance. The individual hydrogen atoms of the repeating methylene unit or the branching hydrocarbon can optionally be substituted by fluorine independent of each other to yield, for instance, the preferred R₁ substitutions, as noted above.

When R₁ is a C_7-11 polycycloalkyl, examples are bicyclo[2.2.1]-heptyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, bicyclo[3.2.1]octyl, tricyclo[5.2.1.0^2,6]decyl, etc. additional examples of which are described in Saccamano et al., WO 87/06576, published 5 November 1987, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Preferred Z terms are C(CN)₂, C(-CN)OC(O)R₉, C(-CN)OR₉, CR₁₄C(O)OR₈, or CR₉C(O)NR₁₃R₁₄. More preferred are C(CN)₂, C(-CN)OC(O)R₉, C(-CN)OR₉, and CR₈C(O)OR₈.

Preferred X groups for Formula (I) are those wherein X is YR₂ and Y is oxygen. The preferred X₂ group for Formula (I) is that wherein X₂ is oxygen. The preferred X₃ group for Formula (I) is that wherein X₃ is hydrogen. Preferred R₂ groups, where applicable, is a C_1-2 alkyl optionally substituted by 1 or more halogens. The halogen atoms are preferably fluorine and chlorine, more preferably fluorine. More preferred R₂ groups are those wherein R₂ is methyl, or the fluoro-substituted alkyls, specifically a C_1-2 alkyl, such as a -CF₃, -CHF₂, or -CH₂CHF₂ moiety. Most preferred are the -CHF₂ and -CH₃ moieties.

Preferred R₃ moieties are C(O)NH₂, C≡CR₈, CN, C(Z')H, CH₂OH, CH₂F, CF₂H, and CF₃. More preferred are C≡CH and CN. Z' is preferably O or NOR₈.

Preferred R₇ moieties include optionally substituted -(CH₂)_1-2 cyclopropyl, -(CH₂)_0-2 cyclobutyl, -(CH₂)_0-2 cyclopentyl, -(CH₂)_0-2 cyclohexyl, -(CH₂)_0-2(2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl), (CH₂)_1-2(2-imidazolyl), (CH₂)₂(4-morpholinyl), (CH₂)₂(4-piperazinyl), (CH₂)_1-2(2-thienyl), (CH₂)_1-2(4-thiazolyl), and (CH₂)_0-2phenyl;

Preferred rings when R₁₀ and R₁₁ in the moiety -NR₁₀R₁₁ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing at least one additional heteroatom selected from O, N, or S include, but are not limited to 1-imidazolyl, 2-(R₈)-1-imidazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 3-(R₈)-1-pyrazolyl, 1-triazolyl, 2-triazolyl, 5-(R₈)-1-triazolyl, 5-(R₈)-2-triazolyl, 5-(R₈)-1-tetrazolyl, 5-(R₈)-2-tetrazolyl, 1-tetrazolyl, 2-tetrazloyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, 4-(R₈)-1-piperazinyl, or pyrrolyl ring.

Preferred rings when R₈ and R₁₄ in the moiety -NR₈R₁₄ together with the nitrogen to which they are attached may form a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing at least one additional heteroatom selected from O, N, or S include, but are not limited to 1-imidazolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 1-triazolyl, 2-triazolyl, 1-tetrazolyl, 2-tetrazolyl, morpholinyl, piperazinyl, and pyrrolyl. The respective rings may be additionally substituted, where applicable, on an available nitrogen or carbon by the moiety R₇ as described herein for Formula (I). Illustrations of such carbon substitutions includes, but is not limited to, 2-(R₇)-1-imidazolyl, 4-(R₇)-1-imidazolyl, 5-(R₇)-1-imidazolyl, 3-(R₇)-1-pyrazolyl, 4-(R₇)-1-pyrazolyl, 5-(R₇)-1-pyrazolyl, 4-(R₇)-2-triazolyl, 5-(R₇)-2-n-triazolyl, 4-(R₇)-1-triazolyl, 5-(R₇)-1-triazolyl, 5-(R₇)-1-tetrazolyl, and 5-(R₇)-2-tetrazolyl. Applicable nitrogen substitution by R₇ includes, but is not limited to, 1-(R₇)-2-tetrazolyl, 2-(R₇)-1-tetrazolyl, 4-(R₇)-1-piperazinyl. Where applicable, the ring may be substituted one or more times by R₇.

Preferred groups for NR₈R₁₄ which contain a heterocyclic ring are 5-(R₁₄)-1-tetrazolyl, 2-(R₁₄)-1-imidazolyl, 5-(R₁₄)-2-tetrazolyl, 4-(R₁₄)-1-piperazinyl, or 4-(R₁₅)-1-piperazinyl.

Preferred rings for R₁₃ include (2-, 4- or 5-imidazolyl), (3-, 4- or 5-pyrazolyl), (4- or 5-triazolyl[1,2,3]), (3- or 5-triazolyl[1,2,4]), (5-tetrazolyl), (2-, 4- or 5-oxazolyl), (3-, 4- or 5-isoxazolyl), (3- or 5-oxadiazolyl[1,2,4]), (2-oxadiazolyl[1,3,4]), (2-thiadiazolyl[1,3,4]), (2-, 4-, or 5-thiazolyl), (2-, 4-, or 5-oxazolidinyl), (2-, 4-, or 5-thiazolidinyl), or (2-, 4-, or 5-imidazolidinyl).

When the R₇ group is optionally substituted by a hererocyclic ring such as imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, or thiazolyl, the heterocyclic ring itself may be optionally substituted by R₈ either on an available nitrogen or carbon atom, such as 1-(R₈)-2-imidazolyl, 1-(R₈)-4-imidazolyl, 1-(R₈)-5-imidazolyl, 1-(R₈)-3-pyrazolyl, 1-(R₈)-4-pyrazolyl, 1-(R₈)-5-pyrazolyl, 1-(R₈)-4-triazolyl, or 1-(R₈)-5-triazolyl. Where applicable, the ring may be substituted one or more times by R₈.

Preferred are those compounds of Formula (I) wherein R₁ is -CH₂-cyclopropyl, -CH₂-C_5-6 cycloalkyl, -C_4-6 cycloalkyl, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, (3- or 4-cyclopentenyl), benzyl or -C_1-2 alkyl optionally substituted by 1 or more fluorines, and -(CH₂)_2-4 OH; R₂ is methyl or fluoro-substituted alkyl, R₃ is CN or C≡CR₈; and X is YR₂.

Most preferred are those compounds wherein R₁ is -CH₂-cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, methyl or CF₂H; R₃ is CN or C≡CH; X is YR₂; Y is oxygen; X₂ is oxygen; X₃ is hydrogen; and R₂ is CF₂H or methyl.

A preferred subgenus of Formula (I) are the compounds of Formula (Ia)    wherein:

1. R₁ is CH₂-cyclopropyl, CH₂-C_5-6 cycloalkyl, C_4-6 cycloalkyl, C_7-11 polycycloalkyl, (3- or 4-cyclopentenyl), phenyl, tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, benzyl or C_1-2 alkyl optionally substituted by 1 or more fluorines, -(CH₂)_1-3C(O)O(CH₂)_0-2CH₃, -(CH₂)_1-3O(CH₂)_0-2CH₃, and -(CH₂)_2-4OH;
2. X is YR₂, halogen, nitro, NR₄R₅, or formyl amine;
3. Y is O or S(O)_m';
4. m' is 0, 1, or 2;
5. R₂ is -CH₃ or -CH₂CH₃ optionally substituted by 1 or more halogens;
6. R₃ is hydrogen, C₁-₄ alkyl, halo-substituted C₁-₄ alkyl CH₂C(O)C(O)N, CH₂NHC(O)C(O)NH₂, CN, CH₂OR₈, C(Z')H, C(O)OR₈, C(O)NR₈R₁₀, or C≡CR₈;
7. Z' is O or NOR₈;
8. Z is C(-CN)₂, CR₁₄CN, CR₁₄C(O)OR₈, CR₁₄C(O)NR₈R₁₄, C(-CN)C(O)OR₉, C(-CN)OC(O)R₉, C(-CN)OR₉, or C(-CN)C(O)NR₈R₁₄;
9. R₇ is -(CR₄R₅)_qR₁₂ or C_1-6 alkyl wherein the R₁₂ or C_1-6 alkyl group is optionally substituted one or more times by methyl or ethyl substituted with 1-3 fluorines, -F, -Br, -Cl, -NO₂, -NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(O)R₈, -CO₂R₈, -OR₈, -CN, -C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -OC(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -OC(O)R₈, -NR₁₀C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)OR₉, -NR₁₀C(O)R₁₃, -C(NR₁₀)NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(NCN)NR₁₀R₁₁, -C(NCN)SR₉, -NR₁₀C(NCN)SR₉, -NR₁₀C(NCN)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀S(O)₂R₉, -S(O)_m'R₉, -NR₁₀C(O)C(O)NR₁₀R₁₁, -NR₁₀C(O)C(O)R₁₀, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, or tetrazolyl;
10. q is 0, 1, or 2;
11. R₁₂ is C₃-C₇ cycloalkyl, (2-, 3- or 4-pyridyl), (1- or 2-imidazolyl), piperazinyl, morpholinyl, (2- or 3-thienyl), (4- or 5-thiazolyl), or phenyl;
12. R₈ is independently selected from hydrogen or R₉;
13. R₉ is C_1-4 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three fluorines;
14. R₁₀ is OR₈ or R₁₁;
15. R₁₁ is hydrogen or C_1-4 alkyl optionally substituted by one to three fluorines; or when R₁₀ and R₁₁ are as NR₁₀R₁₁ they may together with the nitrogen form a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing at least one additional heteroatom selected from O, N, or S;
16. R₁₃ is oxazolidinyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, imidazolyl, imidazolidinyl, thiazolidinyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, or thiadiazolyl, and each of these hererocyclic rings is connected through a carbon atom and each may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or two C_1-2 alkyl groups;
17. R₁₄ is hydrogen or R₇; or when R₈ and R₁₄ are as NR₈R₁₄ they may together with the nitrogen form a 5 to 7 membered ring optionally containing one or more additional heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; provided that:
18. when R₁₂ is N-imidazolyl, N-triazolyl, N-pyrrolyl, N-piperazinyl, or N-morpholinyl, then q is not 1;
19. or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Exemplified compounds of Formula (I) are:

1. [4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-ylidine]malononitrile;
2. 2-[4-(3,4-bisdifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-cyanocyclohexan-1-ylidene]-2-tert-butyloxy acetonitrile;
3. 2-[4-(3,4-bisdifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-cyanocyclohexan-1-ylidene]-2-acetoxy acetonitrile;
4. methyl 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclpropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-ylidine acetate; and
5. 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclpropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-ylidine carboxylic acid.

It will be recognized that some of the compounds of Formula (I) and (II) may exist in both racemic and optically active forms; some may also exist in distinct diastereomeric forms possessing distinct physical and biological properties. All of these compounds are considered to be within the scope of the present invention.

The term "C_1-3 alkyl", "C_1-4 alkyl", "C_1-6 alkyl" or "alkyl" groups as used herein is meant to include both straight or branched chain radicals of 1 to 10, unless the chain length is limited thereto, including, but not limited to methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, and the like.

"Alkenyl" means both straight or branched chain radicals of 1 to 6 carbon lengths, unless the chain length is limited thereto, including but not limited to vinyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 2-propynyl, or 3-methyl-2-propenyl.

The term "cycloalkyl" or "cycloalkyl alkyl" means groups of 3-7 carbon atoms, such as cyclopropyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl.

"Aryl" or "aralkyl", unless specified otherwise, means an aromatic ring or ring system of 6-10 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, benzyl, phenethyl, or naphthyl. Preferably the aryl is monocyclic, i.e. phenyl. The alkyl chain is meant to include both straight or branched chain radicals of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

"Heteroaryl" means an aromatic ring system containing one or more heteroatoms, such as imidazolyl, triazolyl, oxazolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidyl, pyrazolyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, or thienyl.

"Halo" means all halogens, i.e., chloro, fluoro, bromo, or iodo.

Inhibiting the production of IL-1" or "inhibiting the production of TNF" means:

1. a) a decrease of excessive in vivo IL-1 or TNF levels, respectively, in a human to normal levels or below normal levels by inhibition of the in vivo release of IL-1 by all cells, including but not limited to monocytes or macrophages;
2. b) a down regulation, at the translational or transcriptional level, of excessive in vivo IL-1 or TNF levels, respectively, in a human to normal levels or below normal levels; or
3. c) a down regulation, by inhibition of the direct synthesis of IL-1 or TNF levels as a postranslational event.

The phrase "TNF mediated disease or disease states" means any and all disease states in which TNF plays a role, either by production of TNF itself, or by TNF causing another cytokine to be released, such as but not limited to IL-1 or IL-6. A disease state in which IL-1, for instance is a major component, and whose production or action, is exacerbated or secreted in response to TNF, would therefore be considered a disease state mediated by TNF. As TNF-β (also known as lymphotoxin) has close structural homology with TNF-α (also known as cachectin), and since each induces similar biologic responses and binds to the same cellular receptor, both TNF-α and TNF-β are inhibited by the compounds of the present invention and thus are herein referred to collectively as "TNF" unless specifically delineated otherwise. Preferably TNF-α is inhibited.

"Cytokine" means any secreted polypeptide that affects the functions of cells, and is a molecule which modulates interactions between cells in immune, inflammatory, or hematopoietic responses. A cytokine includes, but is not limited to, monokines and lymphokines regardless of which cells produce them.

The cytokine inhibited by the present invention for use in the treatment of a HIV-infected human must be a cytokine which is implicated in (a) the initiation and/or maintenance of T cell activation and/or activated T cell-mediated HIV gene expression and/or replication, and/or (b) any cytokine-mediated disease associated problem such as cachexia or muscle degeneration. Preferrably, his cytokine is TNF-α.

All of the compounds of Formula (I) are useful in the method of inhibiting the production of TNF, preferably by macrophages, monocytes or macrophages and monocytes, in a mammal, including humans, in need thereof. All of the compounds of Formula (I) are useful in the method of inhibiting or mediating the enzymatic or catalytic activity of PDE IV and in treatment of disease states mediated thereby.

Preparing compounds of Formula (I) can be carried out by one of skill in the art according to the procedures outlined in the Examples, infra. The preparation of any remaining compounds of Formula (I) not described therein may be prepared by the analogous processes disclosed herein which comprise:

Compounds of Formula (I) are prepared from the corresponding ketones of Formula (I), that is where Z is O, by reacting the ketone with an active methylene reagent in the presence of a catalyst or with removal of water, if required, or by reaction with a stabilized ylide reagent as described in the procedures outlined in the Examples, infra. However when R₃ is CHO this R₃ group must be protected as, e.g., a ketal during the reaction and then deprotected.

The precursor ketones can be prepared by the general methods and Examples set out in co-pending application USSN 07/968,753 filed 30 October 1992; that material is incorporated herein by reference as if set out in full herein.

The following examples are set out to illustrate how to make the compounds of this invention and methods for determining associated therapeutic activity. These examples are not intended to limit the invention in any manner, their purpose is illustrative rather than limiting.

1. 1a. (3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile To a solution of 3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (20 g, 90.8 mmol) in acetonitrile (100 mL) was added lithium bromide (15 g, 173 mmol) followed by the dropwise addition of trimethylsilylchloride (17.4 mL, 137 mmol). After 15 min, the reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (26.7 mL, 151 mmol) was added dropwise and the resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After stirring for 3h, the mixture was separated into two layers. The lower layer was removed, diluted with methylene chloride and filtered through Celite. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, dissolved in methylene chloride and refiltered. The solvent was removed in vacuo to provide a light tan oil. To a solution of this crude a-bromo-3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxytoluene in dimethylformamide (160 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added sodium cyanide (10.1 g, 206 mmol) and the resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18h, then poured into cold water (600 mL) and extracted three times with ether. The organic extract was washed three times with water, once with brine and was dried (potassium carbonate). The solvent was removed in vacuo and the residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 10% ethyl acetate/hexanes, to provide an off-white solid (17.7 g, 84%): m.p. 32-34°C; an additional quantity (1.3 g) of slightly impure material also was isolated.
2. 1b. Dimethyl 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)pimelate To a solution of (3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile (7 g, 30.3 mmol) in acetonitrile (200 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added a 40% solution of Triton-B in methanol (1.4 mL, 3.03 mmol) and the mixture was heated to reflux. Methyl acrylate (27 mL, 303 mmol) was added carefully, the reaction mixture was maintained at reflux for 5h and then cooled. The mixture was diluted with ether, was washed once with 1N hydrochloric acid and once with brine, was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The solid residue was triturated with 5% ethanol/hexane to provide a white solid (9 g, 74%): m.p. 81-82°C; and additional 1.1 g (9%) was also obtained from the filtrate.
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₂₂H₂₉NO₆: C 65.49, H 7.25, N 3.47; found: C 65.47, H 7.11, N 3.49.
3. 1c. 2-Carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one To a solution of dimethyl 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)pimelate (5.9 g, 14.6 mmol) in dry 1,2-dimethoxyethane (120 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added sodium hydride (80% suspension in mineral oil, 1.05 g, 43.8 mmol). The mixture was heated to reflux for 4.5h, then was cooled to room temperature and was stirred for 16h. Water was added and the reaction mixture was partitioned between ether and acidic water. The organic extract was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, to provide a white foam (4.9 g, 93%).
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₁₉H₂₃NO₃·1/4H₂O: C 67.09, H 6.84, N 3.72; found: C 66.92, H 6.61, N 3.74.
4. 1d. 4-Cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one    A mixture of 2-carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one (0.80 g, 2.15 mmol), dimethyl sulfoxide (16 mL), water (1 mL) and sodium chloride (0.8 g) under an argon atmosphere was heated at 140-145°C for 5h. The reaction mixture was cooled and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, to provide a yellow solid. Trituration with hexanes/ethyl acetate yielded a white solid (0.52 g, 77%): m.p. 111-112°C.
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₁₉H₂₃NO₃: C 72.82, H 7.40, N 4.47; found: C 72.72, H 7.39, N 4.48.
5. 1e. 4-Cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one A mixture of 2-carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one (0.80 g, 2.15 mmol), dimethyl sulfoxide (16 ml), water (1 mL) and sodium chloride (0.8 g) under an argon atmosphere was heated at 140-145°C for 5h. The reaction mixture was cooled and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, to provide a yellow solid. Trituration with hexanes/ethyl acetate yielded a white solid (0.52 g, 77%): m.p. 111-112°C.
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₁₉H₂₃NO₃: C 72.82, H 7.40, N 4.47; found: C 72.72, H 7.39, N 4.48.

1. 2a. 3-Cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde A vigorously stirred mixture of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (20 g, 131 mmol), chloromethylcyclopropane (18.2 mL, 197 mmol) and powdered potassium carbonate (27.3 g, 197 mol) in dimethylformamide (400 mL) was heated under an argon atmosphere at 80°C for 9h. The mixture was allowed to cool and was filtered trough Celite. The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure, the residue was extracted twice with ethyl acetate, the organic extract was washed five times with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate and was dried (sodium sulfate). The solvent was removed in vacuo to provide an off-white solid (21.2 g, 78%): m.p. 67-69°C.
2. 2b. (3-Cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile To 3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (21.2 g, 103 mmol) was added lithium bromide (17.8 g, 206 mmol) and acetonitrile (110 mL). Upon dissolution, the reaction mixture was cooled to 0°C. Trimethylsilylchloride (19.6 mL, 154 mmol) was slowly added and the reaction mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and was stirred for 15 min. The reaction mixture was again cooled to 0°C, 1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (27.2 mL, 154 mmol) was added and the resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After stirring for 2h, the mixture was separated into two layers. The lower layer was removed, was diluted with metylene chloride, was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure; this procedure was repeated a total of three times. The resulting light tan oil was dissolved in dimethylformamide (90 mL) under an argon atmosphere and was treated with sodium cyanide (11.3 g, 232 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2h, then poured into cold water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extract was washed three times with water, once with brine and was dried (sodium sulfate). The solvent was removed in vacuo to provide an oil (21.4 g, 96%), which was used without purification.
3. 2c. Dimethyl 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)pimelate To a solution of (3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)acetonitrile (21.4 g, 98.6 mmol) in acetonitrile (400 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added a 40% solution of Triton-B in methanol (4.5 mL, 9.9 mmol). The resulting mixture was heated to reflux and methyl acrylate (178 mL, 197 mmol) was added cautiously. After 3h, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and concentrated. The residue was partitioned between 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid and ethyl acetate, was extracted three times with ethyl acetate, the organic layer was dried (potassium carbonate) and evaporated. Purification by flash chromatography, eluting with 2:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, provided an oil (27 g, 71%).
4. 2d. 2-Carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one To a solution of dimethyl 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)pimelate (10.4 g, 26.7 mmol) in dry 1,2-dimethoxyethane (500 mL) under an argon atmosphere was added sodium hydride (80% dispersion in mineral oil, 2.5 g, 31.2 mmol). The resulting mixture was refluxed for 4h, cooled to room temperature and quenched with water. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and acidic water, extracted three times, the organic layer was dried (magnesium sulfate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The product was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 2:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, to provide an oil (9 g, 95%).
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₂₀H₂₃NO₅·1/8 H₂O: C 66.79, H 6.52, N 3.89; found: C 66.62, H 6.43, N 3.92.
5. 2e. 4-Cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan- 1-one4    A mixture of 2-carbomethoxy-4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one (0.80 g, 2.15 mmol), dimethyl sulfoxide (16 mL), water (1 mL) and sodium chloride (0.8 g) under an argon atmosphere was heated at 140-145°C for 5h. The reaction mixture was cooled and concentrated. The residue was purified by flash chromatography, eluting with 3:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, to provide a yellow solid. Trituration with hexanes/ethyl acetate yielded a white solid (0.52 g, 77%): m.p. 111-112°C.
   1. Analysis Calc. for C₁₉H₂₃NO₃: C 72.82, H 7.40, N 4.47; found: C 72.72, H 7.39, N 4.48.

A mixture of 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-cyclohexan-1-one (0.2 g, 0.64 mmol) and malononitrile (0.042 g, 0.64 mmol) was heated to 110°C. To this melt was added water (2 mL) containing a trace of β-alanine and heating was continued for an additional 3h. The mixture was cooled, was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate, was extracted twice with ethyl acetate, the organic extract was dried (potassium carbonate) and the solvent was removed in vacuo. Purification by flash chromatography, eluting with 20% ethyl acetate/hexanes, followed by trituration of the product with ethyl acetate/ethanol provided a white solid (0.15 g, 65%): m.p. 142-143°C.

1. Analysis Calc. for C₂₂H₂₃N₃O₂: C 73.11, H 6.41, N 11.63; found: C 73.27, H 6.46, N 11.41.

To a suspension of sodium hydride (80% dispersion, 0.02 g, 0.66 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (0.5 mL) at 0°C under an argon atmosphere was added a solution of diethyl tert-butyl(cyano)methyl-phosphonate (0.15 g, 0.6 mmol). After 0.5h, a solution of 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexan-1-one (0.1 g, 0.3 mmol) in tetrahydrofuran (0.5 mL) was added and the mixture was allowed to come to room temperature. After 0.5h, the mixture was heated at reflux for 10 min, was cooled, aqueous sodium chloride and water were added, the mixture was extracted three times with ether, the extract was dried (magnesium sulfate) and evaporated. Purification by flash chromatography, eluting with 15% ethyl acetate/hexanes, followed by trituration with hexane/ether, provided a white solid (0.07 g, 58%): m.p. 67-68°C.

1. Analysis Calc. for C₂₁H₂₂F₄N₂O₃: C 59.15, H 5.20, N 6.57; found: C 58.80, H 5.04, N 6.24.

A mixture of 2-[4-(3,4-bisdifluoromethoxyphenyl)-4-cyanocyclohexylidene]-2-tert-butyloxy acetonitrile (0.08 g, 0.19 mmol) and zinc iodide (0.07 g, 0.23 mmol) in acetic anhydride (1.5 mL) under an argon atmosphere was heated at reflux for 15 min, was cooled, was diluted with water and was extracted three times with ether. The organic extract was washed with water and with brine, was dried (magnesium sulfate) and was evaporated. Purification by flash chromatography, eluting with 20% ethyl acetate/hexanes, followed by trituration with hexane/ether/methylene chloride, provided a white solid (0.04 g, 35%): m.p. 73-74°C.

1. Analysis Calc. for C₁₉H₁₆F₄N₂O₄·1/4 H₂O: C 54.75, H 3.99, N 6.70; found: C 54.58, H 3.86, N 6.61.

A solution of methydiethylphosphonate (1.2 mL, 6.68 mmol) in ethylene glycol dimethyl ether (10 mL) was treated with solid sodium hydride (0.22 g, 7.3 mmol, 80% dispersion in mineral oil) at room temperature under an argon atmosphere. After stirring for 1.5h, a solution of 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclopropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanone (1.0 g, 3.34 mmol) was added and the mixture was allowed to stir for an additional 3h. The reaction mixture was partitioned between methylene chloride and water, was extracted twice, was dried (potassium carbonate) and was evaporated to an oil. Purification by flash column chromatography, eluting with 2:1 hexanes/ethyl acetate, provided an oil (0.48 g, 40%).

1. Analysis Calc. for C₂₁H₂₅NO₄·1/8 H₂O: C 70.51, H 7.12, N 3.92; found: C 70.36, H 7.01, N 3.89.

A solution of 4-cyano-4-(3-cyclpropylmethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-1-ylidine acetate (0.17 g, 0.48 mmol) in methanol (4.8 mL) was treated with aqueous potassium hydroxide (0.81 g, 1.44 mmol in 2.7 mL of water) and was stirred at room temperature under an argon atmosphere for three days. The reaction mixture was partitioned between methylene chloride and acidic water, was extracted three times, was dried (magnessium sulfate) and was evaporated. Purification by flash column chromatography, eluting with 95:5 chloroform/methanol, provided a foam (0.12 g, 73%).

In order to use a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of humans and other mammals, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

The compounds of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof can be used in the manufacture of a medicament for the prophylatic or therapeutic treatment of any disease state in a human or other mammal which is mediated by inhibition of PDE IV, such as but not limited to asthma, allergic, or inflammatory diseases. The compounds of Formula (I) are administered in an amount sufficient to treat such a disease in a human or other mammal.

For the purposes herein all methods of treatment and dosage regimens apply equally to both the compounds of Formula (I).

In order to use a compound of Formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of humans and other mammals, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.

The amount of a compound of Formula (I) required for therapeutic effect on topical administration will, of course, vary with the compound chosen, the nature and severity of the condition and the animal undergoing treatment, and is ultimately at the discretion of the physician.

The daily dosage regimen for oral administration is suitably about .001 mg/kg to 100mg/kg, preferably 0.01 mg/Kg to 40 mg/Kg, of a compound of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof calculated as the free base. The active ingredient may be administered from 1 to 6 times a day, sufficient to exhibit activity.

No toxic effects are expected when these compounds are administered in accordance with the present invention.

The inhibitory effect of compounds of Formula (I) on in vitro TNF production by human monocytes may be determined by the protocol as described in Badger et al., EPO published Application 0 411 754 A2, February 6, 1991, and in Hanna, WO 90/15534, December 27, 1990.

Two models of endotoxic shock have been utilized to determine in vivo TNF activity for the compounds of Formula (I). The protocol used in these models is described in Badger et al., EPO published Application 0 411 754 A2, February 6, 1991, and in Hanna, WO 90/15534, December 27, 1990.

The compound of this invention demonstrated a positive in vivo response in reducing serum levels of TNF induced by the injection of endotoxin.

The phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity and selectivity of the compounds of Formula (I) can be determined using a battery of five distinct PDE isozymes. The tissues used as sources of the different isozymes are as follows: 1) PDE Ib, porcine aorta; 2) PDE Ic, guinea-pig heart; 3) PDE III, guinea-pig heart; 4) PDE IV, human monocyte; and 5) PDE V (also called "Ia"), canine trachealis. PDEs Ia, Ib, Ic and III are partially purified using standard chromatographic techniques [Torphy and Cieslinski, Mol. Pharmacol., 37:206-214, 1990]. PDE IV is purified to kinetic homogeneity by the sequential use of anion-exchange followed by heparin-Sepharose chromatography [Torphy et al., J. Biol. Chem., 267:1798-1804, 1992].

Phosphodiesterase activity is assayed as described in the protocol of Torphy and Cieslinski, Mol. Pharmacol., 37:206-214, 1990. Positive IC₅₀'s in the nanomolar to µM range for compounds of the workings examples described herein for Formula (I) have been demonstrated.

The ability of selected PDE IV inhibitors to increase cAMP accumulation in intact tissues is assessed using U-937 cells, a human monocyte cell line that has been shown to contain a large amount of PDE IV. To assess the activity of PDE IV inhibition in intact cells, nondifferentiated U-937 cells (approximately 10⁵ cells/reaction tube) were incubated with various concentrations (0.01-1000 µM) of PDE inhibitors for one minute and 1µM prostaglandin E2 for an additional four minutes. Five minutes after initiating the reaction, cells were lysed by the addition of 17.5% perchloric acid, the pH was neutralized by the addition of 1M potassium carbonate and cAMP content was assessed by RIA. A general protocol for this assay is described in Brooker et al., Radioimmunassay of cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP., Adv. Cyclic Nucleotide Res., 10:1-33, 1979. The compounds of the working examples as described herein for Formula (I) have demonstrated a positive EC₅₀s in the µM range in the above assay.