ARYL- AND HETARYL-SULFONAMIDE DERIVATIVES, THEIR PREPARATION AND THEIR USE AS ENDOTHELIN ANTAGONISTS

Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) wherein R<1> signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl or heterocyclyl; R<2> signifies phenyl or substituted phenyl; R<3> signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl, cyano, carboxy, esterified carboxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or a residue -CONR<5>R<6> or -NR<5>COR<7>; R<4> signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; R<5> signifies hydrogen or a residue R<7>, and R<6> signifies -(CH2)mR<7>; or R<5> and R<6> together with the N atom associated with them signify a heterocyclic residue; R<7> signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, lower-alkyl, cyano-lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, di-lower-alkylamino-lower-alkyl, carboxy-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxycarbonyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxycarbonylamino-lower-alkyl or phenyl-lower-alkoxycarbonyl; R<a> signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl or hydroxy; R<b> signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; Z signifies hydroxy, amino or a residue -OR<8>, -OC(O)NHR<8>, -OC(O)OR<8>, -NHC(O)NHR<8> or -NHC(O)OR<8>; R<8> signifies heterocyclyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl or lower-alkyl; A and Y each independently signify oxygen or sulphur; X signifies nitrogen or CH; m signifies 0, 1 or 2; and n signifies 0, 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically usable salts thereof are inhibitors of endothelin receptors. They can therefore be used for the treatment of disorders which are associated with endothelin activities, especially circulatory disorders such as hypertension, ischaemia, vasospasms and angina pectoris.

Description: Aryl- and hetaryl-sul fonamlde derivatives, thei r preparation and their use as endothel in antagoni sts The present invention is concerned with novel sulphonamides and their use as medicaments. In particular, the invention is concerned with novel compounds of formula I wherein R 1 signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl or heterocyclyl; R 2 signifies phenyl or substituted phenyl; R 3 signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl, cyano, carboxy, esterified carboxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or a residue -CONR5R6 or -NR5COR 7 ; R 4 signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; R 5 signifies hydrogen or a residue R 7 , and R 6 signifies -(CH2 )mR 7 ; or R 5 and R 6 together with the N atom associated with them signify a heterocyclic residue; R 7 signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl, cycloalkyl, hetero¬ cyclyl, lower-alkyl, cyano-lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, di- lower-alkylamino-lower-alkyl , carboxy-lower-alkyl, lower- alkoxycarbonyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxycarboπylamino-lower- alkyl or phenyl-lower-alkoxycarbonyl; R a signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl or hydroxy; R b signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; Z signifies hydroxy, amino or a residue -OR 8 , -OC(0)NHR 8 , -OC(0)OR8, -NHC(0)NHR8 or -NHC(0)OR 8 ; R 8 signifies heterocyclyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl or lower- alkyl ; A and Y each independently signify oxygen or sulphur, X signifies nitrogen or CH; m signifies 0, 1 or 2; and Grn/So 2.1 1.95 n signifies 0, 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically usable salts thereof. Examples of heterocyclyl residues are mono- or bicyclic 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic residues having oxygen, nitrogen or sulphur as the hetero atom, such as 2- and 3-furyl, pyrimidinyl, 2-, 3- and 4-pyridyl and pyridyl N-oxide, 5-tetrazolyl, 2-tetra- zol-5-yl-4-pyridyl, 1 ,2- and 1 ,4-diazinyl, morpholino, 2- and 3-thienyl, isoxazolyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, imidazolyl, pyrrolyl, benzofuranyl, benzothienyl, indolyl, purinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl and quinazolyl, which can be substituted e.g. by lower-alkyl, lower-alkanoyl, hydroxy, lower-alkanoyloxy, lower-alkoxy, lower-alkoxycarbonyl, formyl, amino, mono- or di-lower-alkyl- amino or halogen. Phenyl residues can be substituted by lower- alkyl, lower alkoxy, hydroxy-lower alkyl, carboxy, lower- alkylenedioxy such as methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy, lower- alkanoyl, hydroxy, amino, mono- or di-lower-alkylamino, phenyl and/or halogen. The term "lower" used here denotes groups with 1 -7 C atoms, preferably 1 -4 C atoms. Alkyl, alkoxy and alkylthio groups as well as alkyl groups as constituents of alkanoyl groups can be straight-chain or branched. Methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec. and tert. butyl are examples of such alkyl groups. Halogen denotes fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine, with chlorine being preferred. Lower-alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy- carbonyl (especially phenoxycarbonyl) and aralkoxycarbonyl (especially benzyl- and phenethyloxycarbonyl) groups are examples of esterified carboxy groups. N-Heterocyclic residues formed with R 5 and R 6 are preferably monocyclic 6-membered heterocyclyl residues which can contain a further oxygen or nitrogen atom, such as morpholino, 2,6-dimethylmorpholino, piperidino, piperazino or piperazino N -substituted by lower- alkyl, formyl or lower-alkoxycarbonyl. Preferred residues R 1 are phenyl and monocyclylic hetero- cyclyl residues containing a nitrogen atom, such as pyridyl, especially 2-pyridyl, which can be substituted, preferably mono- substituted. Examples of preferred residues R 1 are especially lower-alkylphenyl, lower-alkoxyphenyl, lower-alkylthiophenyl, trifluoromethylphenyl, lower-alkylenedioxyphenyl and lower- alkylpyridyl. Preferred residues R 2 are phenyl substituted by lower-alkoxy and/or halogen. Preferred residues R 3 are hydrogen, cyano, phenyl, 5-tetrazolyl, carboxy, lower-alkoxycarbonyl and -CONR 5 R 6 , in which R 5 is hydrogen and R 6 is phenyl, phenyl substituted by lower-alkoxy, hydroxy, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, carboxy, lower-alkylenedioxy or phenyl, pyridyl, 5-tetrazolyl, lower-alkyl, cyano-lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, di-lower- alkylamino-lower-alkyl, carboxy-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxy- carbonyl-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxycarbonylamino-lower-alkyl or phenyl-lower-alkoxycarbonyl; or NR 5 R 6 is morpholino, 2,6- dimethylmorpholino, piperidino, piperazino, N 4 -lower-alkyl- piperazino, N 4 -formylpiperazino or N 4 -lower-alkoxycarbonyl- piperazino. R 4 is preferably hydrogen. Preferred residues Z are hydroxy or, where R a is hydrogen or lower-alkyl, -0C(0)NHR 8 in which R 8 is phenyl or pyridyl. A and Y are preferably oxygen, n is preferably 0. The compounds of formula I and their salts are inhibitors of endothelin receptors. They can therefore be used for the treat¬ ment of disorders which are associated with endothelin activ¬ ities, especially circulatory disorders such as hypertension, ischaemia, vasospasms and angina pectoris. The compounds of formula I and their salts can be manufactured in accordance with the invention by a) reacting a compound of formula II wherein R 2 ,R ,R 4 ,R a ,R b ,A,X,Y,Z and n have the significance given above and amino or hydroxy groups optionally contained in R 3 and Z are present in protected form, with a reactive derivative of a sulphonic acid of the formula RT SOzOH; or b) reacting a compound of formula IN wherein Rϊ -R 4 , A and X have the significance given above, with a compound of the formula HalCH2(CR a R ) n CH2θH, in which Hal is halogen and the hydroxy group(s) contained in the last- named compound can be present in protected form, in the presence of a base; or c) reacting a compound of formula I in which Z is hydroxy or amino and further amino or hydroxy groups which may be contained in the molecule are present in protected form, d ) with an isocyanate of the formula R 8 NC0 or a carbamoyl chloride of the formula R 8 NC0CI, wherein R 8 has the significance set forth above, or c2) with phosgene and thereafter with an alcohol of the formula R 8 OH; or with a chloroformic acid ester of the formula R 8 OC(O)CI; or d) condensing a compound of formula I in which R 3 is carboxy with a compound of the formula NHR 5 R 6 in which R 5 and R 6 have the significance given above; or e) reacting a compound of formula I in which R 3 is cyano and the remaining symbols have the significance given above with NH4CI and sodium azide; or f) treating a compound of formula IV wherein Rϊ -R 4 , R D , A, X and Y have the significance given above, with an oxidizing agent, if desired, removing amino or hydroxy protecting groups contained in the reaction product and, if desired, transforming substituents contained in the compound of formula I obtained and/or convert¬ ing the compound of formula I obtained into a salt. As reactive derivatives of a sulphonic acid of the formula R 1 Sθ θH there come into consideration for the reaction with a compound of formula II e.g. halides such as chlorides. The reaction can be carried out in a manner known per se for the manufacture of sulphonamides, e.g. in an inert organic solvent such as dimethyl sulphoxide, conveniently while heating and in a protective gas atmosphere, e.g. under argon. Reactive amino or hydroxy groups present in the substituents R 3 and/or Z should be present in a form protected by conventional protecting groups such as tert.butoxycarbonyl or tetrahydropyranyl. The intro¬ duction of such protecting groups is conveniently effected at an earlier step in the preparation of the starting materials concerned. The cleavage of the protecting groups with the formation of a compound of formula I can be effected according to conventional procedures, e.g. by acid treatment for the cleavage of tetrahydropyranyl or tert.butoxycarbonyl groups. In process variant b), which is preferably used for the manufacture of compounds of formula I with X = nitrogen, com- pounds in which Hal is iodine are conveniently used as reaction partners for compound III, Silver carbonate especially comes into consideration as the base. The reaction is conveniently carried out while heating in an inert organic solvent, e.g. in toluene while heating to about 1 00°C. The reaction in accordance with process variant c) can be effected in a manner known per se for the manufacture of carbamates and ureas from alcohols and, respectively, amines. Thus, in process variant cl ) a compound of formula in which Z is hydroxy can be reacted with an isocyanate of the formula R 8 NCO in a suitable anhydrous organic solvent, e.g. a hydrocarbon such as toluene, conveniently while heating, to give a compound of formula I in which Z is -OC(0)NHR 8 . The isocyanate can be generated in situ, e.g. from an azide of the formula R 8 CON3 by thermal decomposition. Correspondingly, compounds of formula I with Z = NHC(0)OR 8 can be obtained using compounds of formula I in which Z is amino. According to process variant c2) a compound of formula I in which Z is oxygen can be converted into a compound of formula I in which Z is a residue -OC(0)OR 8 with phosgene and thereafter with an alcohol of the formula R 8 OH. A phosgene salt such as diphosgene (CI-COOCCI3) or triphosgene (CO(OCCl3)2) can be used in place of phosgene. Analogously, compounds of formula I with Z = -NHC(0)OR 8 are obtained starting from compounds of formula I with Z = amino. The phosgene is conveniently used as a solution in an inert anhydrous organic solvent, e.g. a hydrocarbon such as toluene. The reaction with phosgene can be carried out at room temperature. The acid chloride obtained as an intermediate is reacted immediately with the alcohol R 8 OH, conveniently while heating. The reaction in accordance with process variant d) can be carried out in a manner known per se for the manufacture of acid amides. Conveniently, the reaction is carried out in the presence of a condensation agent such as BOP or dicyclohexylcarbodiimide in an inert organic solvent such as e.g. acetonitrile or tetrahydro- furan. The reaction in accordance with process variant e) is carried out in a suitable solvent such as dimethylformamide, conveniently while heating, and yields compounds of formula I in which R 3 is 2-tetrazolyl. Process variant f) leads to compounds of formula I in which R a and Z are hydroxy. The oxidation can be carried out e.g. using osmium tetroxide in solvents such as acetone. 5 Substituents present in the thus-obtained compound of formula I can be modified. For example, an ester group can be saponified to the carboxy group e.g. by treatment with aqueous alcoholic alkali. Furthermore, N-heterocyclic residues such as pyridyl can be oxidized to N-oxides. All of these reactions can be ι o performed according to methods known per se. The compounds of formula I can be converted in a manner known per se into salts, e.g. alkali salts such as Na and K salts or alkaline earth metal salts such as Ca or Mg salts. 15 The compounds used as starting materials, insofar as they are not known or their preparation is described hereinafter, can be prepared in analogy to known processes or to processes described below in the Examples. Compounds of formula II in which X is CH, can be prepared starting e.g. from a 5-nitro-3,4- 20 dihydroxy-benzoic acid ester. A reaction sequence embracing the replacement of the 4-hydroxy group by chlorine, e.g. by treatment with a chlorinating agent such as oxalyl chloride in DMF, reaction with a compound of the formula HalCH2(CR a R D ) n CH2θR\ in which Hal represents halogen and R x represents a protecting group, such 25 as tetrahydropyranyl, and further hydroxy groups present are in protected form, reaction with a phenol R 2 0H or a thiophenol R 2 SH and reduction of the nitro group to the amino group then yields a compound of formula II in which X represents CH, Y represents oxygen, Z represents a protected hydroxy group, R 3 represents 30 esterified carboxy and R 4 represents hydrogen. An analogous procedure can be used for the preparation of corresponding compounds of formula II in which Y is sulphur. The esterified carboxy group in the thus-obtained compounds can be transformed into another residue R 3 in a manner known per se. Alternatively, 35 using a suitably substituted starting material in this reaction sequence there can also be prepared corresponding compounds of formula II with R 4 = lower-alkyl. Compounds of formula III in which X is nitrogen can be prepared e.g. by reacting a compound of the formula R 3 -C(NH)- CH2CN firstly with ethyl-MgBr and thereafter with a compound of the formula C(NH)-CH2CN to give a compound of the formula R 2 ACH2COCI. Ring-closure to a 2-hydroxy-3-AR -4-amino-6-R 3 - pyridine is effected by treatment with a base such as sodium amide in dioxan. Reaction with a compound R 1 Sθ2d yields a 0,N-di-sulphonyl derivative from which the sulphonyloxy group can be cleaved off selectively by heating with ethanolic 1 N NaOH to 6O°C. The thus-obtained compound can be converted into the desired compound of formula II with a compound of the formula Hal-CH2(CR a R b ) n CH2θR\ in which R x represents a protecting group, such as tetrahydropyranyl, and further hydroxy groups present are in protected form. Conveniently, the reaction sequence described above is carried out from starting materials in which R 3 is a substituent, such as alkyl or phenyl, which is stable under the reaction conditions used, e.g. towards sodium amide in the cyclization, or in which an unstable or reactive substituent, such as e.g. carboxy, is present in derivatized form, e.g. as an ester, and this substituent is optionally subsequently functionally modified. The compounds of formula I enxhibit a selective inhibitory action on endothelin receptors A and B (ETA and ETR) which can be shown using the test procedures described hereinafter: I : Inhibition of endothelin binding to recombinant ETΔ receptors A cDNA coding for human ETA receptors of human placenta was cloned (M. Adachi, Y.-Y. Yang, Y. Furuichi and C. Miyamoto, BBRC 1 80. 1 265-1 272) and expressed in the baculovirus-insect cell system. Baculovirus-infected insect cells from a 23 I fermenter are centrifuged off (3000 x g, 1 5 minutes, 4°C) 60 hours after the infection, re-suspended in Tris buffer (5 mM, pH 7.4, 1 mM MgU2) and again centrifuged. After a further re-suspension and centrifugation the cells are suspended in 800 ml of the same buffer and freeze-dried at -1 20°C. The cells disintegrate when the suspension in this hypotonic buffer mixture is thawed. After a repeated freeze-drying/thawing cycle the suspension is homogenized and centrifuged (25000 x g, 1 5 minutes, 4°C). After suspension in Tris buffer (75 mM, pH 7.4, 25 mM MgU2, 250 mM saccharose) 1 ml aliquots (protein content about 3.5 mg/ml) are stored at -85°C. For the binding assay, the freeze-dried membrane prepara¬ tions are thawed and, after centrifugation at 20°C and 25000 g for 1 0 minutes, re-suspended in assay buffer (50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, containing 25 mM Mnd2, 1 mM EDTA and 0.5% bovine serum albumin). 100 μl of this membrane suspension containing 5 μg of protein are incubated with 50 μl of 1 25 l- endothelin (specific activity 2200 Ci/mMol) in assay buffer (25000 cpm, final concentration 20 pM) and 100 μl of assay buffer containing varying concentrations of test compound. The incubation is carried out at 20°C for 2 hours or at 4°C for 24 hours. The separation of free and membrane-bound radio- ligands is carried out by filtration over a glass fibre filter. I I : Inhibition of endothelin binding to human placenta membranes (ETR receptor) (see. Life Sci 44:1 429 ( 1 989)) Human placenta is homogenized in 5 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, which contains 1 mM MgCl2 and 250 mM sucrose. The homoge- nizate is centrifuged at 4°C and 3000 g for 1 5 minutes, the supernatant containing the plasma membrane fraction is centri¬ fuged at 72000 g for 30 minutes and the precipitate is washed with 75 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, which contains 25 mM MgCl2. Thereafter, precipitate obtained from in each case 1 0 g of original tissue is suspended in 1 ml of 75 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, containing 25 mM MgCl2 and 250 mM sucrose, and freeze- dried at -20°C in 1 ml aliquots. For the binding assay, the freeze-dried membrane prepara¬ tions are thawed and, after centrifugation at 20°C and 25000 g for 1 0 minutes, re-suspended in assay buffer (50 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.4, containing 25 mM MnU2, 1 mM EDTA and 0.5% bovine serum albumin). 100 μl of this membrane suspension containing 35 μg of protein are incubated with μl of " ■ 25 I- endothelin (specific activity 2200 Ci/mMol) in assay buffer (25000 cpm, final concentration 20 pM) and 1 00 μl of assay 5 buffer containing varying concentrations of test compound. The incubation is carried out at 20°C for 2 hours or at 4°C for 24 hours. The separation of free and membrane-bound radio- ligands is carried out by filtration over a glass fibre filter. ι o The inhibitory activity on ETA and ETβ receptors of com¬ pounds of formula I determined in these test procedures is given in Table 1 as the IC50, i.e. as the concentration [μM] which is required to inhibit 50% of the specific binding of 1 25 l-endothelin. 1 5 Table 1 Compound of Example ETA IC50 [μM] ET B IC50 [μM] 33 0.01 0.44 36 0.002 0.65 31 0.006 0.85 85 86.0 0.02 89 >100 0.065 105 >100 0.01 5 I I I . Inhibition of endothelin-induced contractions in isolated rat aorta rings 20 Rings with a length of 5 mm were cut out from the thorax aorta of adult Wistar-Kyoto rats. The endothelium was removed by lightly rubbing the internal surface. Each ring was immersed at 37°C in 10 ml of Krebs-Henseleit solution in an isolated bath 25 while gassing with 95% O2 and 5% CO2. The isometric stretching of the rings was measured. The rings were stretched to a pre¬ tension of 3 g. After incubation for 1 0 minutes with the test compound or vehicle cumulative dosages of endothelin-1 were added. The activity of the test compound was ascertained by the 30 observed shift to the right of the dosage-activity curve of endo- thelin-1 in the presence of different concentrations of antagon- ist. This shift to the right (or "dose ratio", DR) corresponds to the quotient from the EC50 values of endothelin- 1 in the presence and in the absence of antagonist, with the EC50 value denoting the endothelin concentration required for a half-maximum contraction. The corresponding PA2 value, which is a measure of the activity of the test compound, was calculated using a computer programme according to the following equation from the "dose ratio" DR for each individual dosage-activity curve. PA2 = log(DR-1 )-log(antagonist-concentration) The EC50 of endothelin in the absence of test compounds is 0.3 nM. The pA2 values obtained with compounds of formula I are given in Table 2. Table 2 Compound of Example Dosage ratio (switch to the right) 33 7.4 36 8.2 On the basis of their capability of inhibiting endothelin binding, the compounds of formula I can be used as medicaments for the treatment of disorders which are associated with vaso- constriction of increasing occurrences. Examples of such disorders are high blood pressure, especially pulmonary high pressure, and subarachnoid haemorrhage. Further indications for which the compounds in accordance with the invention can be used are coronary disorders, cardiac insufficiency, renal and myocardial ischaemia, renal insufficiency, cerebral ischaemia, cerebral infarct, migraine and Raynaud's syndrome. The compounds in accordance with the invention can also be used in atherosclerosis, the prevention of restenosis after balloon- induced vascular dilation, inflammations, gastric and duodenal ulcers, ulcus cruris, gram-negative sepsis, shock, glomerulo- nephtritis, renal colic, glaucoma, asthma, in dialysis and in the therapy and prophylaxis of diabetic complications and complic- ations in the administration of cyclosporin, as well as other disorders associated with endothelin activities. The compounds of formula I can be administered orally, rectally, parentally, e.g. intravenously, intramuscularly, sub- cutaneously, intrathecally or transdermally; or sublingually or as opththalmological preparations, or as an areosol. Capsules, tablets, suspensions or solutions for oral administration, suppositories, injection solutions, eye drops, salves or spray solutions are examples of administration forms. Intravenous, intramuscular or oral administration is a preferred form of use. The dosages in which the compounds of formula I are administered in effective amounts depend on the nature of the specific active ingredient, the age and the require- ments of the patient and the mode of administration. In general, dosages of about 0.1 -100 mg/kg body weight per day come into consideration. The preparations containing the compounds of formula I can contain inert or also pharmacodynamically active additives. Tablets or granulates e.g. can contain a series of binders, fillers, carriers or diluents. Liquid preparations can be present, for example, in the form of a sterile water-miscible solution. Capsules can contain a filler or thickener in addition to the active ingredient. Furthermore, flavour-improving additives as well as substances usually used as preserving, stabilizing, moisture-retaining and emulsifying agents as well as salts for varying the osmotic pressure, buffers and other additives can also be present. The previously mentioned carrier materials and diluents can comprise organic or inorganic substances, e.g. water, gelatine, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, talc, gum arabic, poly- alkylene glycols and the like. It is a prerequisite that all adjuvants used in the production of the preparations are non- toxic. The following Examples illustrate the invention in more detail. In the Examples RT signifies room temperature, MeOH signifies methanol and DMSO signifies dimethyl sulphoxide. Example 1 a) 2.08 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in pyridin (30 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 2 .09 g of 4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 5 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed with 2N HCI solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate was obtained as a resin. b) A solution of 4.6 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydropyran- 2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (50 ml) was treated at RT with 4 ml of 2N aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 2 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and dilute potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (5/1 ) as the eluent. There were thus obtained 2.57 g of methyl 3-(4- tert-butyl-phenylsulphonyl-amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a white foam. Preparation of the starting material: c) 1 8.87 ml of oxalyl chloride were added dropwise to 1 6.95 ml of DMF at -20°C. The mixture was left to react at -20°C for 1 0 minutes. Subsequently, a solution of 1 5.63 g of methyl 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitro-benzoate in DMF (1 00 ml) was slowly added dropwise thereto, the temperature of the reaction mixture being held at between -10°C and -20°C. The mixture was left to come to room temperature and was subsequently heated for a further 5 hours on an oil bath at 100°C (bath temperature). The dark reaction solution was poured on to ice-water, extracted at RT with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed three times with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained methyl 4-chloro-3- hydroxy-5-nitro-benzoate as a yellow solid which was used in the next step without further purification. d) 6.84 g of methyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-nitro-benzoate were dissolved in acetone (1 50 ml), treated at RT in succession with 1 0.1 9 g of potassium carbonate and 1 1.1 9 g of 2-(2-iodo- ethoxy)-tetrahydro-pyran and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 6 hours. Subsequently, the mixture was poured into water, extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ ether (2/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained the desired methyl 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzoate as as a pale yellow solid. e) 4.28 g of methyl 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran- 2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in acetone (250 ml), treated at RT with 5.0 g of potassium carbonate, 1 .93 of guaiacol and the mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. It was poured on to ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution, then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product (6 g) was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ether (1 /1 ). There was thus obtained the desired methyl 4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-ρyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate as a pale yellow powder. f) 4.3 g of methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in ethanol (250 ml), treated with 0.75 g of Ra-Ni catalyst and hydrogenated at RT for 3.5 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phen-oxy)-5- [2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate, pale yellow solid. Example 2 2.57 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-phenylsulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (50 ml), treated with 19.4 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at 65°C for 2 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid as a white foam. Example 3 77 mg of 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 28 μl of n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 73 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexa- fluorophosphate and 14 μl of morpholine were added thereto in succession and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 2.5 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide as a white foam. Example 4 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and piperidine there was obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 - carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide. Example 5 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and 2-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamine there was obtained 3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide. Example 6 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and benzyl aminoacetate there was obtained benzyl [3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-acetate. Example 7 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and aniline there was obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- N-phenyl-benzamide. MS: 589.4 (M-H) Example 8 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and aminoacetonitrile there was obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-N-cyanomethyl-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)- 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 9 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and 2-dimethylaminoethylamine there was obtained 3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)- 5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 10 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and tert-butyl (2-amino-ethyl)-carbamate there was obtained tert-butyl {2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)- 5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]- ethyl}-carbamate. Example 1 1 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and 3-picolylamine there was obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl-benzamide. Example 1 2 In analogy to Example 3, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and benzylamine there was obtained N-benzyl-3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 1 3 By basic saponification of benzyl [3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoylamino]-acetate there was obtained [3-(4-tert-butyl- benzene-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-acetic acid. Example 14 A solution of 75 mg of 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]- benzenesulphonamide, 40 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 7 mg of p-dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 80°C for 2 hours. The toluene was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and I N HCI solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate/MeOH (60/60/3) as the eluent. There was thus obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. White solid, 55 mg. Example 1 5 In analogy to Example 14, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphon- ylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(2- pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2- pyridin-2-yl-ethylcarbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 1 6 In analogy to Example 14, from 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 -carbonyl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (piperidine-1 -carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 1 7 In analogy to Example 14, from N-benzyl-3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5-benzylcarbamoyl-3-(4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 1 8 In analogy to Example 14, from benzyl [3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoylamino]-acetate and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained benzyl |3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoylamino}-acetate. Example 1 9 In analogy to Example 14, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphon- ylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N- pyridin-3-ylmethyl-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-{3-(4-tert- butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- [(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)-carbamoyl]-phenoxy}-ethyl ester. Example 20 In analogy to Example 14, from 3-(4-tert-butylbenzenesulphon- ylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N- phenyl-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenylcarbamoyl- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 21 a) 0.417 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate was dissolved in pyridine (7.5 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.395 g of 5-isopropylpyridine-2-sulphonyl chloride in toluene (3.5 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and CH2CI2, the organic phase was washed with 1 M HCI solution and then with 1 M potassium hydrogen carbonate solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent methyl 3-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate (0.6 g) was obtained as a resin. b) A solution of 0.6 g of methyl 3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (1 0 ml) was treated at RT with 1 ml of 2M aqueous HCI and the solution was subse¬ quently stirred at RT for a further 1 hour. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and dilute potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2θ2/ethyl acetate (5/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 0.459 g of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a white foam. Example 22 0.459 g of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate was dissolved in ethanol (10 ml), treated with 3.5 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at 80°C for 1.5 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid as a white foam (0.474 g). Example 23 55 mg of 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 19 μl of n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 49 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and 1 0 μl of morpholine were added thereto in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 1 6 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide as a white foam. Example 24 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and piperidine there was obtained 5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 -carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide. Example 25 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and 1 -methlpiperazine there was obtained 5-iso- propyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl-piperazine-1 -carbonyl)-phenyl]- amide. Example 26 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and 2,6-dimethyl-morpholine there was obtained 5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(2,6-dimethyl-morph- oline-4-carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl]-amide. Example 27 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and 2-pyridin-2-yl-ethylamine there was obtained 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-( 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide. Example 28 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and ethyl piperazine-1 -carboxylate there was obtained ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine- 2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoyl]-piperazine- 1 -carboxylate. Example 29 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and piperazine-1 -carbaldehyde there was obtained 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(4-formyl-piperazine- 1 -carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenόxy)- phenyl]-amide. Example 30 In analogy to Example 23, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid and propylamine there was obtained 3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-ρropylbenzamide. Example 31 A solution of 50 mg of 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide, 36 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 5 mg of p-dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 35°C (bath temperature) for 2 hours. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 1 N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 /) as the eluent. There was thus obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. White solid. Example 32 In analogy to Example 31 , from 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piper- idine-1 -carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(piperidine-1 -carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 33 In analogy to Example 31 , from 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methyl-piperazine-1 -carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridyl- carboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl-piperazine-1 -carbonyl)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 34 In analogy to Example 31 , from 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(2,6-dimethyl-morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridyl- carboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5-(2,6-dimethyl-morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-(5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenoxy]- ethyl ester. Example 35 In analogy to Example 31 , from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- N-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5- isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(2-pyridin-2-ylethylcarbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester Example 36 In analogy to Example 31 , from ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylate and 2-pyridyl- carboxylic acid azide there was obtained ethyl 4-{3-(5-iso- propyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- [2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoyl}-piperazine-1 - carboxylate. Example 37 In analogy to Example 31 , from 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(4-formyl-piperazine-1 -carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)- 2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5- (4-formyl-piperazine-1 -carbonyl)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 38 a) 1 .04 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in pyridine (30 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 .1 g of benzo[1 ,3]-dioxol-5-sulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 0 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained the desired methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a resin. b) A solution of 1 .5 g of methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (50 ml) was treated at RT with 3 ml of 5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subse¬ quently stirred at RT for a further 2.5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product (1 .7 g) was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (8/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5sulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a white solid. Example 39 1 .1 7 g of methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (20 ml), treated with 9 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 3 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution, pH 1 , and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid as a white foam. Example 40 50 mg of 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 19 μl of n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 49 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexa- fluorophosphate and 10 μl of morpholine were added in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 3 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-amide as a white foam. Example 41 In analogy to Example 40, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and 1 -ethoxycarbonylpiperazine there was obtained ethyl N4-[3-benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 - carboxylate. Example 42 In analogy to Example 40, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and isobutyiamine there was obtained 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-isobutyl-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 43 In analogy to Example 40, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and isopropylamine there was obtained 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol- 5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-isopropyl-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 44 In analogy to Example 40, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid and ethanolamine there was obtained 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-4- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 45 A solution of 52 mg of methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate, 44 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 5 mg of p-dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 1 0°C (bath temperature) for 1 .5 hours. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 1 N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (210/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate as a white solid. Example 46 In analogy to Example 45, from benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol- 5-sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 47 In analogy to Example 45, from ethyl 4-[3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylate and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained ethyl 4-{3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulph- onylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbam- oyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoyl}-piperazine-1 -carboxy late. Example 48 In analogy to Example 45, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-isobutyl-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-isobutylcarbamoyl-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 49 In analogy to Example 45, from 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-isopropyl-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-isopropylcarbamoyl-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 50 a) 2.14 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in in pyridine (30 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 .488 g of 4-methoxybenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 0 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate as a resin. b) A solution of 2.1 7 g of methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol ( 1 0 ml) was treated at RT with 1 0 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2CI2/ ethyl acetate (1 0/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxybenzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a white solid. b) A solution of 2.1 7 g of methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (1 0 ml) was treated at RT with 1 0 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator, the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (10/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxybenzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a white solid. Example 51 0.88 g of methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate was dissolved in methanol (1 0 ml), treated with 7 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 1 .5 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution, pH 1 , and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid as a white foam (0.75 g). Example 52 49 mg of 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 1 9 μl of n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 49 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexa- fluorophosphate and 1 0 μl of morpholine were added in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 1 2 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (30/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4- methoxy-benzenesulphonamide as a white foam. Example 53 A solution of 50 mg of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoate, 45 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 5 mg of p- dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 1 0°C (bath temperature) for 1 hour. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and I N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (20/1 /) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(4- methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (pyridin-2-ylcarb-amoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate. White solid. Example 54 In analogy to Example 53, from N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4- methoxy-benzenesulphonamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-methoxy- benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine- 4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 55 a) 0.626 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate was dissolved in pyridine (30 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.593 g of 4-methylsulphanylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (10 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a yellow oil. b) A solution of 0.91 g of methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (30 ml) was treated at 0°C with 5 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at 0°C for a further 1 hour The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (7/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate as a white foam. Example 56 0.78 g of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate was dissolved in methanol * (30 ml), treated with 9 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 1 .5 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid as a white foam (0.79 g). Example 57 75 mg of 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (1 5 ml), 29 μl n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 75 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and 14 μl of morpholine were added in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 20 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonamide (71 mg) as a white foam. Example 58 In analogy to Example 57, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-benzoic acid and 1 -ethoxycarbonylpiperazine there was obtained ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-benzoyl]- piperazine-1 -carboxylate. Example 59 A solution of 63 mg of N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonamide, 48 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 5 mg of p-dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (1 5 ml) was heated at 1 10°C (bath temperature) for 2 hours. The residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and 1 N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (30/1 /) as the eluent. There was thus obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester as a white solid, Example 60 In analogy to Example 59, from ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylate and 2-pyridylcar- boxylic acid azide there was obtained ethyl 4-{4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanylbenzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2- (pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoyl}-piperazine-1 - carboxylate. Example 61 a) 1 .04 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in pyridine (30 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.953 g of 4-methyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (10 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran- 2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-5-(toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate as a yellow solid. b) A solution of 1 .42 g of methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3- [2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-5-(toluene-4-sulphonyl- amino)-benzoate in methanol (50 ml) was treated at RT with 3 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (9/1 ) as the eluent. There were thus obtained 1.1 5 g of methyl 3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(toluene-4- sulphonylamino)-benzoate as a white foam. Example 62 1 .069 g of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (50 ml), treated with 1 1 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(toluene-4- sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid as a white foam. Example 63 70 mg of 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 29 μl of n-ethyldiisopropylamine, 75 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethylamino)-phosphonium hexa- fluorophosphate and 14 μl of morpholine were added in succession at room temperature and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 6 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (30/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-4-methyl-benzenesulphonamide (71 mg) as a white foam. Example 64 A solution of 57 mg of methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate, 51 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 5 mg of p- dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 10°C (bath temperature) for 1 hour. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and I N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (1 2/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-5- (toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate as a white solid. Example 65 In analogy to Example 64, from N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methyl- benzenesulphonamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-(toluene-4-sulphonyl- amino)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 66 a) 1 .1 3 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in a mixture of toluene/pyridine (20 ml/ 30 ml) treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 .05 g of 4-tert.butyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (30 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate as a yellow solid. b) A solution of 1 .62 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetra- hydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (30 ml) was treated at room temperature with 3.5 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 3.5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (9/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-benzoate. Preparation of the starting material: c) 3.59 g of methyl 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran- 2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in acetone (200 ml), treated at RT with 4.14 g of potassium carbonate, 1 .9 g of 2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenol and the mixture was subsequently heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice- water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product (5.5 g) was flash chromato¬ graphed on silica gel with hexane/ether (1 /1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate (3.5 g) as a pale yellow powder. d) 3.5 g of methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro- 5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (1 50 ml), treated with 0.5 g of Ra-Ni catalyst and hydrogenated at room temperature for 1 .5 hours. The catalyst was filtered off and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator There was thus obtained methyl 3-amino- 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate. Pale yellow solid. Example 67 1 .1 3 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (30 ml), treated with 6 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 6 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid as a white, crystalline solid. Example 68 55 mg of of 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 1 9 μl of n-ethyldiiso¬ propylamine, 49 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethyl- amino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and, 10 μl of morpholine were added in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 2 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide (63 mg) as a white foam. Example 69 In analogy to Example 68, from 3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-benzoic acid and aniline there was obtained 3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 70 A solution of 28 mg of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)- benzoate, 22 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 2 mg of p- dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 1 0°C (bath temperature) for 1 .5 hours. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 1 N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with methylene chloride and the organic phase was dried over magensium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (1 0/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a white solid. Example 71 In analogy to Example 70, from 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3- (4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 72 a) 1 .1 2 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in a mixture of toluene/pyridine (20 ml/ 30 ml) treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 .05 g of 5-isopropylpyridine-2-sulphonyl chloride in toluene (30 ml) and subsequently stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained the desired methyl 4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)- 5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a yellow solid. b) A solution of 2.0 g of methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridin-2-sulphonylamino)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (1 0 ml) 5 was treated at RT with 5 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 1 hour. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium ι o sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH Cl2/ethyl acetate (10/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-benzoate. 1 5 Example 73 0.905 g of 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- 20 ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-benzoate was dissolved in methanol (1 0 ml), treated with 6.57 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and subsequently heated at reflux for 1 hour. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution (pH 1 ) and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. 25 The organic phase was washed once with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated The solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid as a white, crystalline solid, 30 1.05 g. Example 74 54 mg of 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- 35 ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid were dissolved in acetonitrile (5 ml), 1 9 μl of n-ethyldiiso¬ propylamine, 49 mg of benzotriazol-1 -yl-oxytris(dimethyl- amino)-phosphonium hexafluorophosphate and 1 0 μl of morpholine were added in succession at RT and the mixture was subsequently stirred at RT for 2 hours. The mixture was partitioned between ethyl acetate and water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (25/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonic acid [2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide (60 mg) as a white foam. Example 75 A solution of 55 mg of methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)- 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-( 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonyl- amino)-benzoate, 44 mg of 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide and 4 mg of p-dimethylaminopyridine in toluene (5 ml) was heated at 1 10 C (bath temperature) for 1 hour. The residue was partitioned between ethyl acetate and 1 N HCI solution, the aqueous phase was extracted several times with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. The solvent was finally removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (1 0/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate as a white solid. Example 76 In analogy to Example 75, from 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2- (2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 77 a) 1 35 mg of methyl 3-amino-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in pyridine (3 ml), treated while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 1 1 mg of 4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 20 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed with water and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained methyl 4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a foam. b) A solution of 88 mg of 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3- (4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (5 ml) was treated at RT with 1 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 1 .5 hours. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2Cl2/ethyl acetate (10/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 4- (2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate. Example 78 Analogously to Example 73, by basic saponification of methyl 4- (2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- methoxybenzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid. Example 79 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 4- (2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 80 Analogously to Example 77, by condensing methyl 3-amino-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzoate with benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate und therefrom by treatment with 5.5M HCI there was obtained methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-benzoate. Example 81 Analogously to Example 73, by basic saponification of methyl 3- (benzo-[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained 3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid. Example 82 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(benzo[1 ,3]-dioxol- 5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3- (benzop ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 83 Analogously to Example 77, by condensing methyl 3-amino-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzoate with 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzenesulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-5-(4- trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate and therefrom by treatment with 5.5M HCI there was obtained methyl 4-(2- chioro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate. Example 84 Analogously to Example 73, by basic saponification of methyl 4- (2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained the desired 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)- 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-benzoic acid. Example 85 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-trifluoromethyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-N-phenyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)- benzamide. Example 86 a) 0.35 g of methyl 3-amino-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate was dissolved in pyridine (1 0 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.31 2 g of 4-tert.butyl-benzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (3 ml) and subsequently stirred at RT for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was poured on to ice/3M HCI, the product was extracted with ethyl acetate, the organic phase was washed with 2M KHCO3 solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent there was obtained the desired methyl 3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- [2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a solid. b) A solution of 0.566 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate in methanol (7 ml) was treated at RT with 5 ml of 5.5M aqueous HCI and the solution was subsequently stirred at RT for a further 1 hour. The solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with 2N potassium hydrogen carbonate solution. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with CH2CI2/ acetone (50/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 0.1 1 3 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate. Preparation of the starting material: c) 3.57 g of methyl 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran- 2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in acetone ( 1 00 ml), treated at RT with 4.1 5 g of potassium carbonate, 2.82 ml of 3- methoxy-phenol and the mixture was subsequently heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product (5.5 g) was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ether (1 /1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-nitro-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a pale yellow powder. d) 3.5 g of methyl 3-nitro-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate were dissolved in methanol (100 ml), treated with 0.5 g of Ra-Ni catalyst and hydrogenated at room temperature for 1 hour. The catalyst was filtered off and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained the desired methyl 3-amino- 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzoate as a pale yellow solid. Example 87 Analogously to Example73, by basic saponification of methyl 3- (4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4- (3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)- 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid. Example 88 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with morpholine there was obtained 4- tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide. Example 89 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3-(4-tert- butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 90 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with 2-aminobiphenyl there was obtained N-biphenyl-2-yl-3 _-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide. Example 91 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with anisidine there was obtained 3-(4- tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-benzamide. Example 92 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with L-leucine methyl ester there was obtained methyl 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-4- methyl-pentanoate. Example 93 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with 3,4-methylenedioxyaniline there was obtained N-benzo-[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl-3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzamide. 5 Example 94 37.5 mg of methyl 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-4- methyl-pentanoate were dissolved in methanol (5 ml), treated at o room temperature with 0.23 ml of 1 M NaOH solution and stirred at room temperature for one hour and at 60°C for 3.5 hours. The solution was poured on to ice/water, adjusted to pH 1 with dilute HCI solution and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, the 5 solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator and the residue was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-4-methyl-ρentanoic acid as a white solid. 0 Example 95 In analogy to Example 75, from methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5 benzoate and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate. 0 Example 96 In analogy to Example 75, from 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide 5 there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 97 In analogy to Example 75, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- N-(3-methoxy-phenyl)-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4- tert-butyl-benzene-sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (3-methoxy-phenylcarbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 98 In analogy to Example 75, from 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- N-phenyl-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained the desired pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenyl- carbamoyl-phenoxy]-ethyl ester. MS: 71 1.3 (M+H). Example 99 Analogously to Example 86, by condensing methyl 3-amino-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate with 4-methoxybenzenesulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate and therefrom by treatment with 5.5M HCI there was obtained methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate. Example 1 00 Analogously to Example 73, by basic saponification of methyl 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulρhonylamino)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid. Example 101 Analogously to Example 74, condensing 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 102 In analogy to Example 75, from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4- methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N- phenyl-benzamide and 2-pyridylcarboxylic acid azide there was obtained pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenylcarbamoyl- phenoxy]-ethyl ester. Example 1 03 Analogously to Example 86, by condensing methyl 3-amino-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate with 4-methylsulphanylbenzenesulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yl- oxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate and therefrom by treatment with 5.5M HCI there was obtained methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)- benzoate. Example 104 Analogously to Example 73, by basic saponification of methyl 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzene-sulphonylamino)-benzoate with 1 M NaOH there was obtained 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid. Example 105 Analogously to Example 74, by condensing 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)- 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzene- sulphonyl-amino)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-N-phenyl-benzamide. Example 106 By hydrogenating benzyl {3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyl- oxy)-ethoxy]-benzoylamino}-acetate, described in Example 1 8, in methanol over palladium/charcoal at RT and under normal pressure there was obtained |3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyl- oxy)-ethoxy]-benzoylamino}-acetic acid. Example 107 A mixture of 290 mg of p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxy)-3-(o- methoxyphenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridy I] benzenesulphonamide, 341 mg of iodoethanol, 362 mg of silver carbonate and 25 ml of toluene was heated to 1 00° under reflux for 5 hrs., with a further 1 50 mg of iodoethanol being added thereto after 4 hrs. The reaction mixture was filtered and the filtrate was evaporated in a vacuum. The residue was chromatographed on 30 g of silica gel. With CH2CI2 + 1 % methanol there could be isolated 1 1 0 mg of pure amorphous p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(o- methoxyphenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridyl-]benzenesulphonamide. Mass spectrum: Mt/e = 486. IR spectrum: bands at 321 1 , 2963, 1 600, 1498, 1 339, 1 252, 839, 751 cm" 1 . The starting material was prepared as follows: 3-aminocrotononitrile was converted with ethylmagnesium bromide and subsequently with o-methoxyphenoxy-acetyl chloride into 3-(o-methoxyphenoxyacetyl-amino)-crotononitrile, which was cyclized with NaNH2 in dioxan at 1 00°C into 2-hydroxy-3-(0- methoxyphenoxy)-4-amino-6-methyl-pyridine. Reaction with 4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in pyridine at 100°C gave 2- (p-tert-butylphenylsulphonyloxy)-3-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-4-(p- tert-butylphenyl-sulphonamido-6-methyl-pyridine. Treatment with sodium hydroxide in ethanol led to p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2- hydroxy)-3-(o-methoxyphenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridyl]benzene- sulphonamide, amorphous, MS spectrum: M t/ e=442. NMR spectrum: 1 .29(S)(9H,-C(CH 3 ) 3 ); 2.21 (5,6-methyl); 4.01 (s, OCH3) Example 1 08 In analogy to Example 1 07, from 270 mg of p-tert butyl-N-[2-(2- hydroxy)-3-(3-methoxyphenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridyl]benzene- sulphonamide there were obtained 1 22 mg of pure p-tert-butyl- N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-6-methyl-4- pyridyl]benzenesulphonamide of m.p. 138-1 39°C (acetone/hexane). IR spectrum: bands at 3259, 2963, 1 601 , 1490, 1 340, 1 1 77, 836, 571 cm-ι . The starting material was prepared analogously to Example 1 07 using M-methoxyphenoxy-acetyl chloride. MS spectrum: Mt/e = 442. NMR spectrum: 1 .32(5,9H,-C(CH3)3); 2.09(s, 3H, 6-methyl); 3.75 (s, 3H, OCH3). Example 1 09 In analogy to Example 1 07, from 200 mg of p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2- hydroxyl]benzenesulphonamide there were obtained 1 63 mg of pure 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-6-phenyl-pyrid-4-yl]-benzenesulphonamide. IR spectrum: bands at 2964, 1 597, 1 339, 1 1 68, 1 100, 750 cm' 1 . The starting material was prepared analogously to Example 107 using 3-amino-3-phenyl-acrylonitrile and o-methoxyphenoxy- acetyl chloride. M spectrum: m t /e=308 IR spectrum: bands at 3442, 1 617, 1499, 1 251 , 1 21 7, 771 cm" 1 . Example 1 1 0 In analogy to Example 107, from 500 mg of N-[2-(2-hydroxy)-3- (2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-methylpyridin-4-yl]-5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonamide there were obtained 1 94 mg of pure, amorphous N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-6- methyl-pyridin-4-yl]-5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonamide. IR spectrum: bands at 3201 , 2930, 1 601 , 1498, 1 253, 1 1 80, 847, 750 cm- 1 . The starting material was prepared analogously to Example 1 using 5-isopropyl-pyridyl-2-sulphonyl chloride. MS spectrum: MVe=429 Example 1 1 1 A mixture of 93 mg of N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-6-methyl-pyridin-4-yl]-5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonamide, 43 mg of pyridine-2-carboxylic acid azide, 10 ml of toluene and 10 mg of 4-dimethylamino-pyridine was heated to reflux for 90 minutes. The reaction mixture was evaporated in vac, dissolved in methylene chloride, washed with water, dried with magnesium sulphate and evaporated. The residue was chromatographed on 20 g of silica gel with methylene chloride. There could be isolated 96 mg of pure, amorphous pyridin-2-yl- carbamic acid 2-[4-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-3- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-6-methyl-pyridin-2-yloxy]ethyl. MS spectrum: M t/ e=594. IR spectrum: bands at 2963, 1 734, 1 596, 1438, 1 1 81 , 847 cm- 1 . Example 1 12 Analogously to Example 1 1 1 , from 40 mg of 4-tert-butyl-N-[2- (2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-phenyl-pyrid-4-yl]- benezensulphonamide there were obtained 33 mg of pure, amor- phous pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2[4(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonamino)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-phenyl-pyridin-2- yloxy]-ethyl ester. MS spectrum: MVe=668 IR spectrum: bands at 2964, 1 735, 1 596, 1439, 1 1 69, 777 cm" 1 . Example 1 13 A solution of 280 mg of 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-tetrahydropyranyl- oxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl-]-benzenesulphon- amide, and 1 .0 of p-toluenesulphonic acid in 20 ml of methanol was held at RT for 90 minutes. In order to isolate the product, the solution was evaporated in vac, the residue was partitioned between methylene chloride and saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and the organic phase was dried and evaporated in vac. The residue was recrystallized from acetone-hexane. There were obtained 1 70 mg of pure 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethox)- 2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl-benzenesulphonamide, m.p. 131 -1 32°C. IR spectrum: bands at 3496, 2967, 1 507, 1499, 1 335, 1 1 68, 750 cm" 1 . The starting material was prepared as follows: 1 .42 g of 2-chloro-3-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy-ethoxy)-nitro- benzene were heated to 100°C for 1 2 hours with 1 88 mg of sodium hydroxide, 700 mg of guaiacol and 200 mg of copper powder in 1 5 ml of DMSO. Usual working up and chromatography gave 1 .0 g of pure 2-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-3-(2-tetrahydro- pyranyloxy-ethox)-nitrobenzene, MS spectrum: MVe= 359. Catalytic reduction with hydrogen/Raney-nickel in ethanol gave 2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-tetrahydro-pyranyloxy-ethoxy)- aniline, IR bands at 3369, 2942, 1 623, 1327, 870 cm" 1 . Reaction with p-tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in pyridine/ toluene at room temperature yielded pure 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2- tetrahydropyranyloxyethoxy)-2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]- benzenesulphonamide. MS: M^e = 555. Example 1 14 Analogously to Example 1 1 1 , from 4-tert-butyl-N-(3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl-benzenesulphonamide there was obtained pure pyridin-2-ylcarbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert- butyl-phenylsulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phoxy)-phenoxy]ethyl ester. M.p. 1 1 8-1 19°C (acetone/hexane). IR spectrum: bands at 2964, 1 733, 1 594, 1498, 1 254, 769 cm" 1 . Example 1 1 5 A solution of 250 mg of 2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-tetra- hydropyranyloxy-ethoxy)-aniline, 1 83 mg of 5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonyl chloride, 7 ml of pyridine and 4 ml of toluene was stirred at RT for 4 hours. Usual working up gave 335 mg of oil which was dissolved in 20 ml of methanol and held at RT with 1 .0 g of p-toluenesulphonic acid for 1 hour. Usual working up gave 250 mg of pure 5-isoprpyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl-pyridyl-sulphonamide, amorphous. IR spectrum: bands at 2931 , 1 602, 1 339, 1 1 75, 1 021 , 764 cm" 1 . Example 1 1 6 Analogously to Example 1 1 1 , from 5-isopropyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl-2-pyridyl-sulphonamide there was obtained pure pyridin-2-yl carbamic acid 2-[3-(5- isopropyl-2-pyridylsulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)ethyl ester. M.p. 1 63°C (acetone-hexane) IR spectrum: bands at 2963, 1732, 1 591 , 1 500, 1 304, 1 253, 1034, 748 cm- 1 - Example 1 1 7 Analogously to Example 1 1 1 , from 2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy-ethoxy)-aniline with 4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride and acidic saponification there was obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenyl]benezesulphonamide. M.p. 131 -134 0 C. The starting material was obtained according to Example 1 1 3 from 2-chloro-3-(2-tetrahydropyranyloxy-ethoxy)-nitrobenzene with 2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenol and subsequent reduction of the nitro group. IR spectrum: bands at 2942, 1 600, 1484, 1 269, 1 205, 1 1 36, 747 cm -1 . Example 1 18 Analogously to Example 1 1 1 , from 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro- 5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide there was obtained pure pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-phenylsulphonylamino)-2-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl ester. M.p. 204-206°C (methylene chloride/hexane). Example 1 1 9 a) 0.14 g of methyl 3-amino-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate was dissolved in pyridine (4.5 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.1 6 g of 4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 .5 ml) and subsequently stirred at room temperature for 5 hours. The reaction mixture was partitioned between water and ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed with 2N HCI solution and dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/methanol (40/1 ) as the eluent. There were thus obtained 1 21 mg of methyl 3-(4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-5- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a resin. MS: 558.2 (M-H). Preparation of the starting material: b) 3.67 g of methyl 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-nitro-benzoate were dissolved in acetone (1 00 ml), treated in succession at room temperature with 6.57 g of potassium carbonate and 2.68 ml of allyl bromide and the mixture was heated at reflux for 1 7 hours. Subsequently, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, poured into water and the organic phase was isolated, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained methyl 3-allyloxy-4-chloro- 5-nitro-benzoate as a crystalline solid. MS: 231 (M). c) 5.3 g of methyl 3-allyloxy-4-chloro-5-nitro-benzoate were dissolved in acetone ( 1 00 ml), treated at room temperature with 6.57 g of potassium carbonate and 3.66 g of 3-methoxyphenol and the mixture was heated at reflux for 24 hours. The mixture was poured into ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product (6.2 g) was chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ether (3/1 ). There was thus obtained methyl 3-allyloxy-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzoate as a lemon-yellow, crystalline solid. MS: 359 (M). d) 0.35 g of methyl 3-allyloxy-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- nitro-benzoate was dissolved in acetone/water (5 ml) and treated at room temperature with 4-methylmorpholine 4-N-oxide (0.1 65 g) and subsequently with osmium tetroxide (1 mg) dissolved in 1 ml of dist. water. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hours, treated with sodium pyrosulphite (0.1 7 g) and stirred at room temperature for a further hour. The resulting brown precipitate was filtered off over Dicalite and rinsed with acetone. The filtrate was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with aqueous 1 N HCI and then with water. After drying the organic phase over magnesium sulphate it was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/methanol (30/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzoate as a resin. MS: 393 (M). e) 0.33 g of methyl 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzoate was dissolved in methanol ( 1 0 ml), treated with Ra-Ni catalyst and hydrogenated at room temper¬ ature for 1 hour. The catalyst was filtered off and the solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained methyl 3-amino-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, pale yellow crystalline solid. MS: 364 (M+H). Example 1 20 0.1 5 g of methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5- (2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate was dissolved in methanol (8 ml), treated with 1 .6 ml of 1 N NaOH solution and subsequently heated under reflux for 1 6 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, acidified with dilute HCI solution to pH 1 and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate, concentrated and the solid obtained was dried in a high vacuum. There was thus obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzoic acid as a white foam. MS: 544.2 (M-H). Example 1 21 54 mg of 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid were dissolved in methylene chloride (5 ml), 40 μl of N-ethyldiiso¬ propylamine, 30 mg of bis-(2-oxo-oxazolidinyl)-phosphinic acid chloride and 1 1 μl of aniline were added thereto in succession at room temperature and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The mixture was taken up in ethyl acetate, subsequently washed firstly with water and then with 1 N aqueous HCI and the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was chromatographed over silical gel with CH2Cl2/MeOH (30/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide as a white foam. MS: 619.3 (M-H). Example 1 22 In analogy to Example 1 1 9, from methyl 3-amino-5-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate and 4- methoxybenzenesulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 3- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)- 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate as a resin. MS: 532.1 (M-H) Example 1 23 In analogy to Example 120, by acid saponification of methyl 3- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)- 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate there was obtained 3-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, white foam. MS: 51 8 (M-H) Example 1 24 In analogy to Example 1 21 , by coupling 3-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide as a foam. MS: 593.2 (M-H) Example 1 25 In analogy to Example 1 1 9, from methyl 3-amino-5-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate and 4- methyl- mercaptobenzeneolsulphonyl chloride there was obtained methyl 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate as a foam. MS: 548.1 (M-H) Example 1 26 In analogy to Example 1 20, by acid saponification of methyl 3- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- sulphanybenzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate there was obtained 3- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid as a white solid. MS: 534.1 (M-H) Example 1 27 In analogy to Example 121 , by coupling 3-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid with aniline there was obtained 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-benzamide as a foam. MS: 609.1 (M-H) Example 1 28 In analogy to Example 1 21 , by coupling 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid with 5-aminotetrazole there was obtained 3-(4-tert-butybenzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-( 1 H-tetrazol-5- yl)-benzamide as a white solid. MS: 543.2 (M-CHN4-H) Example 1 29 In analogy to Example 1 21 , by coupling 3-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid with 1 -acetoxycarbonyl- piperazine there was obtained ethyl 4-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 -carboxylate as a white foam. MS: 674.3 (M-H) Example 1 30 In analogy to Example 1 21 , by coupling 3-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid with morpholine there was obtained N-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4 methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonamide as a white foam. MS: 603.3 (M-H) Example 1 31 Methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-phenylsulphonyl-amino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate (1 32 mg) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylacetamide (2.5 ml), 30 mg of 60% NaH suspension were added thereto at room temperature and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 20 minutes and finally treated with 2-chloropyrimidine (40 mg). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 18 hours, poured on to ice-water, saturated NH4CI solution was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed with water, dried over magnesium sulphate and finally concen¬ trated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/ethyl acetate (7/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate as a foam. MS: 608.2 (M+H). Example 1 32 In analogy to Example 1 31 , from 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide and 2-chloropyrimidine there was obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-{2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine- 4-carbonyl)-3-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-benzene- sulphonamide as a white foam. MS: 661 .3 (M-H) Example 1 33 In analogy to Example 1 31 , from 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morρholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide and 2-chloropyridine there was obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-{2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholin- 4-carbonyl)-3-[2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-benzene- sulphonamide as a foam. MS: 660.3 (M-H) Example 1 34 In analogy to Example 1 31 , from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-N-phenyl-benzamide and 2-chloropyrimidine there was obtained 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-5-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzamide as a solid. MS: 657.4 (M-H) Example 1 35 In analogy to Example 131 , from 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-N-phenyl-benzamide and 2-chloropyridine there was obtained 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-5-[2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzamide as a solid. MS: 656.3 (M-H) Example 136 In analogy to Example 121 , by coupling 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4- (3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-benzoic acid with morpholine there was obtained N-[3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonamide. MS: 575 (M+H) Example 1 37 In analogy to Example 1 31 , from N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonamide and 2-chloropyrimidine there was obtained N-{2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-3-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonamide as a foam. MS: 651.3 (M-H) Example 1 38 In analogy to Example 1 31 , from N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methyl- sulphanyl-benzenesulphonamide and 2-chloropyridine there was obtained N-{2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- 3-[2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonamide as a foam. MS: 650.3 (M-H) Example 1 39 a) 2.2 g of 3-amino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzonitrile were dissolved in pyridine (45 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 3.06 g of 4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (1 5 ml) and subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The reaction solution was partitioned between aqueous hydrochloric acid (pH 1 ) and ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent on a rotary evaporator the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/ethyl acetate (8/1 ) as the eluent. There were thus obtained 1 .1 9 g of 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide as a foam. MS: 495.1 (M-H). Preparation of the starting material: b) In order to prepare a Vilsmeyer complex, DMF (1 1 .5 ml) was placed at -20°C, 1 2.9 ml of oxalyl chloride were cautiously added dropwise at the same temperature and the mixture was left to react at -20°C for 10 minutes. Subsequently, a solution of 9 g of 3,4-dihydroxy-5-nitrobenzonitrile (preparation described in: J. Med. Chem. 849, 1 989) in DMF (1 1 .5 ml) was slowly added dropwise thereto, with the temperature of the reaction solution being held at between -10°C and -20°C. The mixture was left to come to room temperature and was subsequently heated on an oil bath at 100°C (bath temperature) for a further 5 hours. The dark reaction solution was poured on to ice-water, extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed three times with water, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. There was thus obtained 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-5- nitro-benzonitrile as a beige powder which was used in the next step without further purification. MS: 1 97.1 (M-H). c) 3.96 g of 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-nitro-benzonitrile were dissolved in acetone (1 50 ml), treated in succession at room temperature with 6.91 g of potassium carbonate and 7.68 g of 2- (2-iodo-ethoxy)-tetrahydro-pyran and the mixture was heated at reflux for 22 hours. Subsequently, it was poured into water, extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ ethyl acetate (3/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4- chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzonitrile as a pale yellow resin. MS: 326 (M). d) 2.60 g of 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzonitrile were dissolved in acetone (75 ml), treated at room temperature with 3.3 g of potassium carbonate and 1 .48 g of guaiacol and the mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane-ethyl acetate (2/1 ). There was thus obtained 4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)- ethoxy]-benzonitrile as a yellow resin. MS: 414 (M). e) 3.5 g of 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzonitrile were dissolved in ethanol (100 ml), a solution of tin dichloride dihydrate (7.6 g) in 37% HCI (1 7 ml) was added dropwise thereto at room temperature and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, adjusted to pH 7 and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. After usual processing of the organic phase there was obtained 3-amino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzonitrile as a crystalline solid. MS: 300 (M). Example 140 4-tert-Butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide (1 24 mg) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide, treated at room temperature with ammonium chloride (134 mg) followed by sodium azide (1 62 mg) and the mixture was subsequently heated at 70°C for 24 hours. The N,N-dimethylformamide was removed in a high vacuum, the residue was partitioned between water/ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed several times with saturated sodium chloride solution, finally dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was purified on silica gel with methylene chloride/methanol (5/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)- phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide as a white foam. MS: 538.1 (M-H). Example 141 a) 0.89 g of 3-amino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzonitrile was dissolved in pyridine (1 5 ml ), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 1 .23 g of 4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (5 ml) and subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The reaction solution was partitioned between aqueous acid (pH 1 ) and ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent on a rotary evaporator the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/ethyl acetate (5/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 0.61 g of 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide as a white solid. MS: 495.2 (M-H). Preparation or the starting material: b) 2.57 g of 4-chloro-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro-pyran-2- yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzonitrile were dissolved in acetone (1 00 ml), treated at room temperature with 3.24 g of potassium carbonate and 1 .48 g of resorcinol monomethyl ether and the mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice- water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was flash chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ethyl acetate (2/1 ). There was thus obtained 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzonitrile as a crystalline solid. c) 2.0 g of 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-nitro-5-[2-(tetrahydro- pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzonitrile were dissolved in ethanol (60 ml), a solution of tin dichloride dihydrate (4.5 g) in 37% HCI (1 2 ml) was added dropwise thereto at room temperature and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 12 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, adjusted to pH 7 and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. After usual processing of the organic phase there was obtained 3- amino-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzo- nitrile as a white solid. MS: 301.2 (M+H). Example 142 In analogy to Example 140, by reacting 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano- 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide and sodium azide in N,N-dimethylformamide there was obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide as a white foam. MS: 538.2 (M-H). Example 143 a) 0.25 g of N-[3-allyloxy-5-cyano-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenyl]-4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonamide was dissolved in acetone ( 1 0 ml) and treated at room temperature with 4-methyl- morpholine 4-N-oxide (0.082 g) and subsequently with osmium tetroxide (1 mg) dissolved in 1 ml of dist. water. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 44 hours, again treated with Osθ4 (1 mg in 3 ml of water) in order to complete the reaction and stirred at room temperature for a further 6 hours. Subsequently, sodium pyrosulphite (0.085 g) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for a further hour. The resulting brown precipitate was filtered off over Dicalite and rinsed with acetone. The filtrate was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was taken up in ethyl acetate and washed with aqueous 1 N HCI and then with water. After drying the organic phase over magnesium sulphate it was concentrated on a rotary evaporator and the residue was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/methanol (20/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2,3-di- hydroxy-propoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide as a white solid. MS: 525.1 (M-H). Preparation of of the starting material: b) 1 .98 g of 4-chloro-3-hydroxy-5-nitro-benzonitrile were dissolved in acetone ( 100 ml), treated in succession at room temperature with 4.14 g of potassium carbonate and 1 .27 ml of allyl bromide and the mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. Subsequently, the reaction mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate, poured into water and the organic phase was isolated, dried over sodium sulphate and concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The residue was chromatographed over silica gel with hexane/ether (4/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 3-allyloxy-4-chloro-5-nitro-benzonitrile as a crystalline solid. MS: 238 (M). c) 2.27 g of 3-allyloxy-4-chloro-5-nitro-benzonitrile were dissolved in acetone ( 100 ml), treated at room temperature with 3.94 g of potassium carbonate and 1.76 g of guaiacol and the mixture was heated at reflux for 20 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase was washed 3 times with 5% sodium hydroxide solution and then with water, dried over sodium sulphate and finally concentrated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was chromatographed on silica gel with hexane/ethyl acetate (4/1 ). There was thus obtained 3-allyloxy-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzonitrile as a crystalline solid. MS: 326 (M). d) 3.59 g of 3-allyloxy-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-nitro- benzonitrile were dissolved in ethanol (1 20 ml), a solution of tin dichloride dihydrate (8.55 g) in 37% HCI (25 ml) was added dropwise thereto at room temperature and the mixture was subsequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The mixture was poured on to ice-water, adjusted to pH 7 and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate. After usual processing of the organic phase there was obtained 3-allyloxy-5-amino-4- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzonitrile as a white solid. MS: 296 (M+H). e) 0.3 g of 3-allyloxy-5-amino-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzonitrile was dissolved in pyridine (9 ml), treated dropwise while cooling with ice with a solution of 0.42 g of 4-tert- butylbenzenesulphonyl chloride in toluene (3 ml) and sub¬ sequently stirred at room temperature for 1 2 hours. The reaction solution was partitioned between aqueous acid (pH 1 ) and ethyl acetate and the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate. After removing the solvent on a rotary evaporator the crude product was chromatographed over silica gel with methylene chloride/ethyl acetate (60/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 0.61 g of N-[3-allyloxy-5-cyano-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonamide as a white solid. MS: 491 .2 (M-H). Example 144 4-tert-Butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide (1 31 mg) was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide (2.5 ml), treated at room temperature with ammonium chloride (1 34 mg) followed by sodium azide (1 62 mg) and the mixture was subsequently heated at 70°C for 24 hours. Additional sodium azide (1 62 mg) was added and the mixture was stirred at 70°C for a further 1 6 hours. The N,N-dimethylformamide was removed in a high vacuum, the residue was partitioned between water/ethyl acetate and the organic phase was washed several times with saturated sodium chloride solution, finally dried over magnesium sulphate and evaporated on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was purified on silica gel with methylene chloride/methanol (3/1 ) as the eluent. There was thus obtained 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-( 1 H-tetrazol-5- yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide as a white foam. MS: 568.3 (M-H). Example 145 a) Analogously to Example 1 43, by oxidizing N-[3-allyloxy-5- cyano-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonamide with osmium tetroxide there was obtained 4-tert- butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide as a solid. MS: 525.1 (M-H). Preparation of the starting material: b) Analogously to Example 143c), from 3-allyloxy-4-chloro-5- nitro-benzonitrile and resorcinol monomethyl ether there was obtained 3-allyloxy-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzo- nitrile. MS: 326 (M). c) Analogously to Example 1 43d), from 3-allyloxy-4-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-nitro-benzonitrile there was obtained by reduction 3-allyloxy-5-amino-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzo- nitrile as a crystalline solid. MS: 296 (M+H). d) Analogously to Example 143e), from 3-allyloxy-5-amino-4- (3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzonitrile by coupling with 4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonyl chloride there was obtained N-[3-allyloxy-5- cyano-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonamide as a crystalline solid. MS: 491 .2 (M-H). Example 146 Analogously to Example 144, from 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3- (2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]- benzenesulphonamide by cyclization with sodium azide in N,N- dimethylformamide as the solvent there was obtained 4-tert- butyl-N-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide as a crystalline solid. MS: 568.3 (M-H). Example A Tablets containing the following ingredients can be produced in a conventional manner: Ingredients Per tablet Compound of formula I 10.0 - 100.0 mg Lactose 125.0 mg Corn starch 75.0 mg Talc 4.0 mg Magnesium stearate 1.0 mg Example B Capsules containing the following ingredients can be produced in a conventional manner: Ingredients Per capsule Compound of formula I 25.0 Lactose 1 50.0 mg Corn starch 20.0 mg Talc 5.0 mg Example C Injection solutions can have the following composition: Compound of formula I 3.0 Gelatine 1 50.0 mg Phenol 4.7 mg Water for injection solutions adl .0 mg Example D 500 mg of compound of formula I are suspended in 3.5 ml of Myglyol 81 2 and 0.08 g of benzyl alcohol. This suspension is filled into a container having a dosage valve. 5.0 g of Freon 1 2 are filled into the container under pressure through the valve. The Freon is dissolved in the Myglyol-benzyl alcohol mixture by shaking. This spray container contains about 1 00 single doses, which can be applied individually.

Claims: Claims 1. Compounds of formula I wherein R 1 signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl or heterocyclyl; R 2 signifies phenyl or substituted phenyl; R 3 signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl, cyano, carboxy, esterified carboxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or a residue -CONR5R6 or -NR5COR 7 ; R 4 signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; R 5 signifies hydrogen or a residue R 7 , and R6 signifies -(CH2) m R 7 ; or R 5 and R 6 together with the N atom associated with them signify a heterocyclic residue; R 7 signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl, cycloalkyl, hetero¬ cyclyl, lower-alkyl, cyano-lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, di- lower-alkylamino-lower-alkyl, carboxy-lower-alkyl, lower- alkoxy carbonyl-lower-alky I, lower-alkoxy carbonylamino-lower- alkyl or phenyl-lower-alkoxycarbonyl; R a signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl or hydroxy; R b signifies hydrogen or lower-alkyl; Z signifies hydroxy, amino or a residue -OR 8 , -OC(0)NHR 8 , -OC(0)OR 8 , -NHC(0)NHR 8 or -NHC(0)OR 8 ; R 8 signifies heterocyclyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl or lower- alkyl; A and Y each independently signify oxygen or sulphur, X signifies nitrogen or CH; m signifies 0, 1 or 2; and n signifies 0, 1 or 2; and pharmaceutically usable salts thereof. 2. Compounds according to claim 1 , wherein R 3 signifies hydrogen, lower-alkyl, carboxy, esterified carboxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl, heterocyclyl or a residue -CONR 5 R 6 or -NR5COR 7 ; R 7 signifies phenyl, substituted phenyl, cycloalkyi, heterocyclyl, lower-alkyl, cyano-lower-alkyl, hydroxy-lower-alkyl, amino- lower-alkyl, carboxy-lower-alkyl, lower-alkoxycarbonyl-lower- alkyl or lower-alkoxycarbonylamino-lower-alkyl; Z signifies hydroxy, amino or a residue -OC(0)NHR 8 , -OC(0)OR 8 , -NHC(0)NHR 8 or -NHC(0)OR 8 ; and R 1 , R 2 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 8 , R a , R b , A, X, m and n have the same significance as in claim 1 ; and pharmaceutically usable salts thereof. 3. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein X is CH. 4. Compounds according to claim 3, wherein R 1 is phenyl or substituted phenyl. 5. Compounds according to claim 4, wherein Z is -0C(0)NHR 8 . 6. Compounds according to claim 4, wherein Z is hydroxy. 7. The compounds according to claim 5, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-pyridin-2-yl- ethylcarbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 - carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5-benzylcarbamoyl-3-(4- tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, benzyl {3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoylamino}-acetate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-{3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[(pyridin-3-yl- methyl)-carbamoyl]-phenoxy}-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenylcarbamoyl- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, ethyl 4-{3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoy I }-piperazine-1 -carboxylate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[l ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-isobutylcarbamoyl-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5- sulphonylamino)-5-isopropylcarbamoyl-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, methyl 3-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, ethyl 4-|4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonylamino)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)- ethoxy ]-benzoy I }-piperazine-1 -carboxylate, methyl 4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-[2-(pyridin-2-yl- carbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-5-(toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-(toluene-4-sulphonylamino)- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)- 5 ethoxy]-benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(3- o methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, 5 pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(3-methoxy-phenyl- carbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenylcarbamoyl- 0 phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-phenylcarbamoyl- phenoxy]-ethyl ester, {3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy- 5 phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoyl- amino}-acetic acid, pyridin-2-ylcarbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-phenyl- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phoxy)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl- 0 phenylsulphonylamino)-2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl ester. 8. The compounds according to claim 6, 5 methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-phenylsulphonyl-amino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 -carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)- benzamide, benzyl [3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-acetate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-N-cyanomethyl- 5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-(2- dimethylamino-ethyl)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-benzamide, tert-butyl {2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5- (2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]- ethyl}-carbamate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-pyridin-3-ylmethyl- benzamide, N-benzyl-3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, [3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-acetic acid, methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2- (2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide, ethyl N4-[3-benzo[l ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 - carboxylate, 3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-N-isobutyl-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, 3-(benzo[l ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-N-isopropyl-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, 3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-N-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxybenzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonamide, methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methylsulphanyl-benzene- sulphonamide, ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-benzoyl]- piperazine-1 -carboxylate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-3- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (toluene-4-sulphonylamino)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(toluene- 4-sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methyl-benzenesulphonamide, methyl 3-(4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoate, methyl 3-amino-4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2- (tetrahydro-pyran-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid, 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide, methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate, 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (4-methoxy-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoate, 3-(benzo[1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-benzoic acid, 3-(benzo[ 1 ,3]dioxol-5-sulphonylamino)-4-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate, 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (4-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-N- phenyl-5-(4-trifluoromethyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzamide, methyl 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-benzene- sulphonamide, 3-(4-tert-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, N-biphenyl-2-yl-3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)- 5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzamide, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(3-methoxy-phenyl)- benzamide, methyl 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-4- methyl-pentanoate, N-benzo-[1 ,3]dioxol-5-yl-3-(4-tert-butylbenzene- sulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- benzamide, 2-[3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoylamino]-4-methyl- pentanoic acid, methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzenesulphonyl- amino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonyl-amino)-N-phenyl-benzamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2- hydroxy-ethoxy)-phenyl]benezesulphonamide, methyl 3-(4-tert.-butylbenzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3- dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 3-(4-tert-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-5-(4-methoxy-benzene- sulphonylamino)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-benzamide, methyl 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)- 5-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoate, 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, 3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4- methylsulphanyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-benzamide, 3-(4-tert.-butybenzenesulphonylamino)-5-(2,3-dihydroxy- propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)- benzamide, ethyl 4-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-4-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(4-methylsulphanylbenzenesulphonylamino)-benzoyl]- piperazine-1 -carboxylate, N-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholin-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4 methylsulphanylbenzene- sulphonamide, N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenyl]-4-methylsulphanyl-benzene- sulphonamide, 4-tert.-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert.-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert.-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert.-butyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-(1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[5-cyano-3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[3-(2,3-dihydroxy-propoxy)-2-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-5-( 1 H-tetrazol-5-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulphonamide. 9. Compounds according to claim 3, wherein R 1 is heterocyclyl. 10. Compounds according to claim 9, wherein Z is -0C(0)NHRS. 1 1. Compounds according to claim 9, wherein Z is hydroxy. 1 2. The compounds according to claim 10, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 - carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl- piperazine-1 -carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5-(2,6-dimethyl- morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-( 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonyl- amino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(2-pyridin-2- ylethylcarbamoyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, ethyl 4-{3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)-ethoxy]- benzoyl}-piperazine-1 -carboxylate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[5-(4-formyl-piperazine-1 - carbonyl)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-2-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl- pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-5-[2-(pyridin-2-ylcarbamoyloxy)- ethoxyj-benzoate, pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2-[2-(2-chloro-5-methoxy- phenoxy)-3-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-5- (morpholine-4-carbonyl)-phenoxy]-ethyl ester, pyridin-2-yl carbamic acid 2-[3-(5-isopropyl-2-pyridyl- sulphonylamino)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-ethyl ester. 1 3. The compounds according to claim 1 1 , methyl 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoate, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-( 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoic acid, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)- phenyl]-amide, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(piperidine-1 -carbonyl)- phenyl]-amide, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(4-methyl-piperazine-1 - carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(2,6-dimethyl- morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl]-amide, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-(2-pyridin-2-yl- ethyl)-benzamide, ethyl 4-[3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-benzoyl]-piperazine-1 - carboxylate, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [5-(4-formyl- piperazine-l -carbonyl)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl]-amide, 3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-4-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-N-propylbenzamide, methyl 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy- ethoxy)-5-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-benzoate, 4-(2-chloro-5-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5- (5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonylamino)-benzoic acid, 5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonic acid [2-(2-chloro-5- methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-phenyl]-amide, 5-isopropyl-N-[3-(2-hydroxy-ethoxy)-2-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-phenyl-pyridyl-sulphonamide. 14. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein X is nitrogen. 15. Compounds according to claim 14, wherein R 1 is phenyl or substituted phenyl. 16. Compounds according to claim 1 5, wherein Z is -OC(0)NHR 8 . 17. Compounds according to claim 1 5, wherein Z is hydroxy. 18. The compound according to claim 1 6, pyπdin-2-yl-carbamic acid 2[4(4-tert-butyl- benzenesulphonamino)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-phenyl-pyridin- 2-yloxy]-ethyl ester. 19. The compounds according to claim 1 7, p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(o-methoxy- phenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridyl-]benzenesulphonamide, p-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(3-methoxy- phenoxy)-6-methyl-4-pyridyl]benzenesulphonamide, 4-tert-butyl-N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxy- phenoxy)-6-phenyl-pyrid-4-yl]-benzenesulphonamide. 20. Compounds according to claim 14, wherein R 1 is heterocyclyl. 21. Compounds according to claim 20, wherein Z is -0C(0)NHRδ. 22. Compounds according to claim 20, wherein Z is hydroxy. 23. The compound according to claim 21 , Pyridin-2-yl-carbamic acid-2-[4-(5-isopropyl-pyridine-2- sulphonylamino)-3-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-6-methyl-pyridin-2- yloxy]-ethyl ester. 24. The compound according to claim 22, N-[2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-3-(2-methoxyphenoxy)-6-methyl- pyridin-4-yl]-5-isopropyl-pyridine-2-sulphonamide. 25. Compounds according to claim 4, wherein Z is OR 8 . 26. The compounds according to claim 25, methyl 3-(4-tert.-butyl-benzenesulphonylamino)-4-(2- methoxy-phenoxy)-5-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-benzoate, 4-tert.-butyl-N-{2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-3-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-benzene- sulphonamide, 4-tert.-butyl-N-{2-(2-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4- carbonyl)-3-[2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-benzene- sulphonamide, 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-5-[2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzamide, 4-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-3-(4-methylsulphanyl-benzene- sulphonylamino)-N-phenyl-5-[2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]- benzamide, N-{2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3- [2-(pyrimidin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonamide, N-{2-(3-methoxy-phenoxy)-5-(morpholine-4-carbonyl)-3- [2-(pyridin-2-yloxy)-ethoxy]-phenyl}-4-methylsulphanyl- benzenesulphonamide. 27. A pharmaceutical preparation containing a compound of any one of claims 1 -26 and usual carrier materials and adjuvants. 28. A process for the manufacture of compounds of claims 1 -26, which process comprises a) reacting a compound of formula II wherein R 2 ,R 3 ,R 4 ,R a ,R b ,A,X,Y,Z and n have the significance given above and amino or hydroxy groups optionally contained in R 3 and Z are present in protected form, with a reactive derivative of a sulphonic acid of the formula R! S0 2 0H; or b) reacting a compound of formula III wherein R^R 4 , A and X have the significance given above, with a compound of the formula HalCH2(CR a R b ) n CH2θH, in which Hal is halogen and the hydroxy group(s) contained in the last- named compound can be present in protected form, in the presence of a base; or c) reacting a compound of formula I in which Z is hydroxy or amino and further amino or hydroxy groups which may be contained in the molecule are present in protected form, cl ) with an isocyanate of the formula R 8 NC0 or a carbamoyl chloride of the formula R 8 NC0CI, wherein R 8 has the significance set forth above, or c2) with phosgene and thereafter with an alcohol of the formula R 8 OH; or with a chloroformic acid ester of the formula R 8 OC(0)CI; or d) condensing a compound of formula I in which R 3 is carboxy with a compound of the formula NHR 5 R 6 in which R 5 and R 6 have the significance given above; or e) reacting a compound of formula I in which R 3 is cyano and the remaining symbols have the significance given above with NH4CI and sodium azide; or f) treating a compound of formula IV wherein R^R 4 , R b , A, X and Y have the significance given above, with an oxidizing agent, if desired, removing amino or hydroxy protecting groups contained in the reaction product and, if desired, transforming substituents contained in the compound of formula I obtained and/or convert- ing the compound of formula I obtained into a salt. 29. Compounds according to claims 1 -26, when manufactured according to the process of claim 28 or according to a process which is an obvious equivalent thereof. 30. The compounds of claims 1 -26 for use as medicaments. 31. The use of compounds of claims 1 -26 as active ingredients for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of disorders which are associated with endothelin activities, especially circulatory disorders such as hypertension, ischaemia, vasospasms and angina pectoris. 32. The novel compounds, medicaments, processes and uses as hereinbefore described. 33. A method for the treatment of disorders which are associated with endothelin activities, especially circulatory disorders such as hypertension, ischaemia, vasospasms and angina pectoris, by administering an effective amount of a compound of claims 1 -26 to a person in need of such treatment. * * *

Inventors: BREU VOLKER, BURRI KASPAR, CASSAL JEAN-MARIE, CLOZEL MARTINE, HIRTH GEORGES, LOEFFLER BERND-MICHAEL, MUELLER MARCEL, NEIDHART WERNER, RAMUZ HENRI, BREU, VOLKER, BURRI, KASPAR, CASSAL, JEAN-MARIE, CLOZEL, MARTINE, HIRTH, GEORGES, LOEFFLER, BERND-MICHAEL, MUELLER, MARCEL, NEIDHART, WERNER, RAMUZ, HENRI
Applicants: BREU VOLKER, BURRI KASPAR, CASSAL JEAN MARIE, CLOZEL MARTINE, HIRTH GEORGES, HOFFMANN LA ROCHE, LOEFFLER BERND MICHAEL, MUELLER MARCEL, NEIDHART WERNER, RAMUZ HENRI, BREU, VOLKER, BURRI, KASPAR, CASSAL, JEAN-MARIE, CLOZEL, MARTINE, F. HOFFMANN-LA ROCHE AG, HIRTH, GEORGES, LOEFFLER, BERND-MICHAEL, MUELLER, MARCEL, NEIDHART, WERNER, RAMUZ, HENRI
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C07D213
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P5, A61P9, A61P25, A61P43, C07C311, C07C323, C07D213, C07D239, C07D257, C07D295, C07D317, C07D405, C07D413