PDE IV INHIBITING PYRIDINE DERIVATIVES

Abstract: The present invention concerns pyridine derivatives having formula (I), the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein L is hydrogen; C1-6alkyl; C1-6alkyl carbonyl; C1-6alkyloxycarbonyl; substituted C1-6alkyl; C3-6alkenyl; substituted C3-6alkenyl; piperidyl; substituted piperidyl; C1-6alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; -A-B- is -CR<4>=CR<5>- or -CHR<4>-CHR<5>-; D is O or NR<6>; R<1> is a hydrogen or C1-4alkyl; R<2> is hydrogen; halo; C1-6alkyl; trifluoromethyl; C3-6cycloalkyl; carboxyl; C1-4alkyl oxycarbonyl; C3-6cycloalkylaminocarbonyl; aryl; HET<1>; or substituted C1-6alkyl; or R<2> is O-R<9> or NH-R<10>; R<3> is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, C1-6alkyl or C1-6alkyloxy; or R<2> and R<1>, or R<2> and R<3> taken together may form a bivalent radical; Q is disubstituted pyridine; R<7> and R<8> each independently are hydrogen; C1-6alkyl; difluoromethyl; trifluoromethyl; C3-6cyclo alkyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentapyridyl; bicyclo[2.2.1]-2-heptenyl; bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl; C1-6alkylsulfonyl; arylsulfonyl; or substituted C1-10alkyl; having PDE IV and cytokine inhibiting activity. The invention also relates to processes for preparing the compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof and their use as a medicament.

Description: PDE IV INHIBITING PYRIDINE DERIVATIVES The present invention concerns pyπdine deπvatives having phosphodiesterase IV (PDE IV) and cytokine inhibiting activity and their preparation; it further relates to compositions compπsing them, as well as their use as a medicine. WO95/04045 geneπcally discloses 2-pyπdmyl-l-[dιalkyloxypιπdιnyl]-ethanone deπvates useful for treating phosphodiesterase IV related disorders. WO 96/31485 descπbes a number of l,3-dιhydro-l-(phenylalkyl)-2H-ιmιdazol-2-one deπvatives having PDE IV and cytokine inhibiting activity. The compounds of the present invention are structurally different from art-known PDE IV inhibitors. They have therapeutical utility in the treatment of disease states related to an abnormal enzymatic or catalytic activity of PDE IV, and/or disease states related to a physiologically detπmental excess of cytokines, in particular allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases. The present compounds have an improved pharmacological profile with little or no gastro-mtestmal side-effects, which are often associated with art-known PDE IV inhibitors. The present invention concerns pyπdine deπvatives having the formula A— B R 1 L— NL N— CH— C— Q Y R 3 D (I) wherein : L is hydrogen; Cι-6alkyl; Cι- 6 alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, Cι--ιalkyloxy, Cι_ 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(Cι--talkyl)amιno, aryl and Her; C 3 -6alkenyl, C 3 -6alkenyl substituted with aryl; Cι-6alkylcarbonyl, Cι- 6 alkyloxycarbonyl; pipeπdyl; pipeπdyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; Cι- 6 alkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; -A-B- is a bivalent radical of formula : -CR 4 =CR0 (a-1); or -CHR0CHR0 (a-2), D is O or NR 6 , Q is a radical of the formula -2- OR' ORO (b-D; ^— OR (b-2); N ^— OR 0 (b . 3); R 1 is hydrogen or Cι- 4 alkyl; or R 1 and R 2 together may form a bivalent radical of formula -(CH 2 ) m - wherein m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R 2 is hydrogen; halo; Cι-6alkyl; trifluoromethyl; C 3 -6cycloalkyl; carboxyl; Cι- 4 alkyl- oxycarbonyl; C3- 6 cycloalkylaminocarbonyl; aryl; Het 1 ; or Cι- 6 alkyl substituted with cyano, amino, hydroxy, Cι- 4 alkylcarbonylamino, aryl or Het 1 ; or R 2 is a radical of formula : -O-R 9 (c-1); or -NH-R 10 (c-2); R 3 is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, Cι- 6 alkyl or Cι- 6 alkyloxy; or R 2 and R 3 taken together may form a bivalent radical of formula : -(CH 2 ) n - (d-1); -CH 2 -CH 2 -O-CH2-CH2- (d-2); -CH 2 -CH 2 -N(R 1I )-CH2-CH 2 - (d-3); or -CH 2 -CH=CH-CH 2 - (d-4); wherein n is 2, 3, 4 or 5; R 4 and R 5 are each independently selected from hydrogen or C1. 4 a.kyl; R 6 is hydrogen, Cι- 4 alkyl or cyano; R 7 and R 8 each independently are hydrogen; C ό alkyl; difluoromethyl; trifluoromethyl; C3- 6 Cycloalkyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms each independently selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentapyridyl; bicyclo[2.2J]-2-heptenyl; bicyclo[2.2J]heptanyl; Cι- 6 alkylsulfonyl; arylsulfonyl; or Cι-ιoalkyl substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from aryl, pyridyl, thienyl, furanyl, indanyl, 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentapyridyl, C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl and a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; R 9 is hydrogen; Ci-6alkyl; Ci- 6 alkyl substituted with hydroxy, carboxyl, Cι. 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, amino, mono- or di(Cι- 4 alkyl)amino, Ηet'or aryl; R 10 is hydrogen; Ci-βalkyl; Cj^alkylcarbonyl; Cι- 6 alkyl substituted with hydroxy, carboxyl, Cι. 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, amino, mono- or di(Cι- 4 alkyl)amino, Ηet'or aryl; R" is hydrogen, Cι- 6 alkyl, Cj. ό alkylsulfonyl orp-toluenesulfonyl; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, C 1 . 4 a.kyl, Cι- 4 alkyloxy, C3-6cycloalkyl, tπfluoromethyl, amino, nitro, carboxyl, Cι. 4 alkyloxycarbonyl and Cι- 4 alkylcarbonylamιno; Het 1 is pyπdyl; pyπdyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl; thienyl; thienyl substituted with Cι. 4 alkylcarbonylamιno; hydroxy- pyπdyl, hydroxypyπdyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl or C1_ 4 alkoxyC 1 . 4 a.kyl; lmidazolyl, lmidazolyl substituted with Cι. 4 alkyl; thiazolyl; thiazolyl substituted with Cι_ 4 alkyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl substituted with Cι. 4 alkyl; lsoquinohnyl; isoquino nyl substituted with Cι. 4 alkyl; quinohnonyl; quinohnonyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl; morphohnyl; pipeπdyl; pipeπdyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl, Ci- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; piperazinyl; piperazinyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl, Ci- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; and Het 2 is morphohnyl; pipeπdyl; pipeπdyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl, piperazinyl; piperazinyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; pyπdyl; pyπdyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl, furanyl, furanyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl; thienyl or thienyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl or Cι. 4 alkylcarbonylarmno; the V-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts and the stereochemically isomeπc forms thereof Some of the compounds of formula (I) may also exist in their tautomeπc forms. Such forms although not explicitly indicated in the above formula are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention In particular, compounds of formula (I) wherein L is hydrogen may exist in their corresponding tautomeπc form. In R 7 and R 8 , the saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycles containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen may suitably be selected from heterocycles such as, for example, tetrahydrofuranyl, dioxolanyl, pyrrolidinyl, morphohnyl, pipeπdyl, piperazinyl and tetrahydropyranyl. Said heterocychc radicals are attached to the oxygen atom or the Cι-ιoalkyl radical by any carbon atom or, where appropπate, by a nitrogen atom Also in R 7 and R 8 , the term 6,7-dιhydro-5H-cyclopentapyπdyl is meant to represent 6,7-dιhydro-5H-cyclopenta[b]pyπdyl or 6,7-dιhydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyndyl and may be attached to the remainder of the molecule by any of the aliphatic or aromatic carbon atoms As used herein the term halo is geneπc to fluoro, chloro, bromo and lodo; the term Ci- 4 alkyl is meant to include straight chained or branched saturated hydrocarbons having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as, for example, methyl, ethyl, 1-methylethyl, lJ-dimethylethyl, propyl, 2-methylpropyl and butyl; the term Ci- 6 alkyl is meant to include Cι- 4 alkyl and the higher homologues thereof having 5 or 6 carbon atoms such as, for example, 2-methylbutyl, pentyl, hexyl and the like; the term Cι-ιrjalkyl is meant to include Cι- 6 alkyl and the higher homologues thereof having from 7 to 10 carbon atoms such as, for example, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, 1-methylhexyl, 2-methylheptyl and the like; the term C 3 .galkenyl defines straight and branch chained hydrocarbon radicals containing one double bond and having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms such as, for example, 2-propenyl, 3-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl and the like, and the carbon atom of said C 3 .6alkenyl being connected to a nitrogen atom preferably is saturated, the term C3_ 6 cycloalkyl is geneπc to cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl, the term C 3 .7cycloa.kyl is meant to include C 3 _6cycloalkyl and cycloheptyl, the term Cι. 4 alkanedιyl is meant to include straight chained and branched saturated bivalent hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as, for example, methylene, 1,2-ethanedιyl, lJ-ethanediyl, 1,3-propanedιyl, 1,2-propanedιyl, 1,4-butanedιyl, 2-methyl-l,3-propanedιyl and the like. As used in the foregoing definitions and hereinafter, haloCι- 4 alkanedιyl is defined as mono- or polyhalosubstituted Cι- 4 alkanedιyl, m particular Cι- 4 alkanedιyl substitituted with one or more fluoro atoms The pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts as mentioned heremabove are meant to compπse the acid addition salt forms which can conveniently be obtained by treating the base form of the compounds of formula (I) with appropπate acids such as inorganic acids, for example, hydrohahc acid, e g. hydrochloπc or hydrobromic, sulfuπc, nitπc, phosphoric and the like acids, or organic acids, such as, for example, acetic, hydroxy-acetic, propanoic, lactic, pyruvic, oxalic, malonic, succmic, maleic, fumaπc, malic, tartaπc, citπc, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, cyclamic, salicylic, p-aminosalicylic, pamoic and the like acids Conversely, said acid addition salt forms can be converted in the free base forms by treatment with an appropπate base The compounds of formula (I) containing an acidic proton may also be converted into their non-toxic metal or amme addition salt forms by treatment with appropπate organic and inorganic bases Appropπate base salt forms compπse, for example, the ammonium salts, the alkali and earth alkaline metal salts, e.g. the lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium salts and the like, salts with organic bases, e g. the benzathine, /V-methyl-D-glucamine, hydrabamine salts, and salts with amino acids such as, for example, argimne, lysine and the like -5- The term addition salt also comprises the hydrates and solvent addition forms which the compounds of formula (I) are able to form. Examples of such forms are e.g. hydrates, alcoholates and the like. The N-oxide forms of the compounds of formula (I) are meant to comprise those compounds of formula (I) wherein one or several nitrogen atoms are oxidized to the so-called /V-oxide. The term "stereochemically isomeric forms" as used hereinbefore defines all the possible stereoisomeric forms which the compounds of formula (I) may possess. Unless otherwise mentioned or indicated, the chemical designation of compounds denotes the mixture of all possible stereochemically isomeric forms, said mixtures containing all diastereomers and enantiomers of the basic molecular structure. More in particular, stereogenic centers may have the R- or S-configuration, and the = NR 6 and substituted C 3 - 6 alkenyl moieties may have the E- or Z-configuration. Whenever used hereinafter, the term compounds of formula (I) is meant to include also the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts and all stereoisomeric forms. A special group of compounds includes those compounds of formula (I) wherein R 7 and R 8 each independently are hydrogen; Cι-6alkyl; C 3 -6cycloalkyl; difluoromethyl; trifluoromethyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; bicyclo[2.2J]-2- heptenyl; bicyclo[2.2J]heptanyl; Cι- 6 alkylsulfonyl; arylsulfonyl; or Cι-ιoalkyl substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from aryl, pyridyl, thienyl, furanyl, C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl and a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen. Interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein R 7 and R 8 are each independently Cι. 6 alkyl; C3.6cycloa.kyl; difluoromethyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; or Ci.ioalkyl substituted with aryl, indanyl, 6,7-dihydro- 5H-cyclopentapyridyl or C3- 6 cycloalkyl. Also interesting compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein R 2 and R 3 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy or Ci.βalkyl. Particular compounds are those compounds of formula (I) wherein R 7 is cyclopentyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, cyclopropylmethyl, 5-phenylpentyl or indanyl; R 8 is hydrogen, -6- methyl or difluoromethyl; R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy or methyl and R', R 4 , R 5 and L are hydrogen. Most preferred are the following compounds : [l-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyridinyl]propyl]-l,3-dihydro-2H-imidazol-2- ylidene]cyanamide; and [l-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyridinyl]propyi]-l,3- dihydro-2H-imidazol-2-one, their N-oxides, their stereochemically isomeric forms and their pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts. Whenever used hereinafter, R' to R", L, D, Q and -A-B- are defined as under formula (I) unless otherwise indicated. Compounds of formula (I) wherein -A-B- is a radical of formula (a-1) and L is hydrogen, said compounds being represented by formula (I-a-1), can conveniently be prepared by cyclization of an intermediate of formula (II) or a functional derivative thereof in the presence of a suitable acid such as, for example, hydrochloric acid. R 4 R 5 R 2 R 1 D 0-C,. 4 alkyl \=^ R 1 R 2 Q— C— CH-NH — C— NH — C— C— O— C j ^alkyl ► H — N^ / N— CH— C— Q i 3 i 4 R 5 Υ R 3 (I-a-1) (II) Said cyclization may be performed in a reaction inert solvent such as, for example, tetrahydrofuran, 1,4-dioxane or a mixture thereof. Stirring and heating may enhance the rate of the reaction. In this and the following preparations, the reaction products may be isolated from the reaction medium and, if necessary, further purified according to methodologies generally known in the art such as, for example, extraction, crystallization, trituration and chromatography. In particular, compounds of formula (I-a-1) wherein R 2 is hydroxy, said compounds being represented by formula (I-a-1-1), may be prepared by cyclization of an intermediate of formula (II- 1) wherein P is hydrogen or, preferably, is a trimethylsilyl protecting group or a functional derivative thereof, in a manner analogous to the one described for the preparation of a compound of formula (I-a-1) from an intermediate of formula (II). R 4 R 5 / O R O— C M aikyl H u f R 1 OH Q— C— CH-NH-C — NH-C— C— O— C M alkyl H — N N— CH— C— Q R 4 Y D (II-l) (I-a-1-1) The compounds of formula (I) can also be converted into each other following art- known procedures of functional group transformation. For example, compounds of formula (I) wherein L is other than hydrogen, said compounds being represented by formula (I-b), may be prepared by reacting a compound of formula (I-a) with L'-W 2 (III), wherein L' is the same as L defined under formula (I) but other than hydrogen and W 2 is a reactive leaving group such as, for example, a halogen atom υ R R 1 Q— C — CH-N A R 2 R 1 " N — H + L'— W 2 * ► Q— C — CH-N A ' ~N- \ / L \ / A— B R 3 (I-a) (HI) (i-b) Also art-known addition reactions may be used to convert compounds of formula (I-a) into compounds of formula (I-b). Compounds of formula (I-a) wherein -A-B- is a radical of formula (a-2), said compounds being represented by formula (I-a-2), can be prepared by hydrogenation of compounds of formula (I-a) wherein -A-B- is a radical of formula (a-1), said compounds being represented by formula (I-a-1), using art-known hydrogenation techniques For instance, hydrogen in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as, for example, palladium or platinum supported on for instance charcoal may be used as an appropπate hydrogenation agent. R 4 R 5 R 4 R 5 M R hydrogenation HC— CH R R I I J I \ I I H — N N — CH — C— Q *- H — N. .N — CH — C— Q Υ 7 Y R 3 o o (I-a-l) (I-a-2) Compounds of formula (I) wherein R 2 is hydroxy and R 3 is methyl, said compounds being represented by formula (I-a- 1-2), may be prepared by oxidizing a compound of formula (I) wherein R 2 is hydroxy and R 3 is hydrogen, said compounds being represented by formula (I-a-1-3) with a suitable oxidizing agent, such as, for example, ethanediol dichloπde, in a suitable reaction inert solvent, such as, for example, dichloromethane, in the presence of a suitable base, such as, for example, tπethylamine, followed by reacting the thus formed intermediate with a Gπgnard reagent. R 4 R 5 R 4 R 5 I I R 1 OH oxidation Gπgnard reagent r == ? H H— N N-CH-C-Q *~ ^ H— N^ / N-CH-C-Q T H T CH 3 D D (I-a-1-3) (I-a-1-2) The compounds of formula (I) may also be converted to the corresponding N-oxide forms following art-known procedures for converting a tπvalent nitrogen into its iV-oxide form Said /V-oxιdatιon reaction may generally be earned out by reacting the starting mateπal of formula (I) with 3-phenyl-2-(phenylsulfonyl)oxazιπdιne or with an appropπate organic or inorganic peroxide Appropπate inorganic peroxides compπse, for example, hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal or earth alkaline metal peroxides, e.g. sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide; appropπate organic peroxides may compπse peroxy acids such as, for example, benzenecarboperoxoic acid or halo substituted benzenecarboperoxoic acid, e.g. 3-chlorobenzenecarboperoxoιc acid, peroxoalkanoic acids, e g. peroxoacetic acid, alkylhydroperoxides, e.g. t-butyl hydroperoxide. Suitable solvents are, for example, water, lower alkanols, e.g. ethanol and the like, hydrocarbons, e.g. toluene, ketones, e.g. 2-butanone, halogenated hydrocarbons, e.g. dichloromethane, and mixtures of such solvents. Intermediates mentioned hereinabove may be prepared following art-known techniques In particular, intermediates of formula (II) wherein D is Ν-CΝ, said compounds being represented by formula (Il-a) may be prepared by first reacting an amine of formula (IV) with dimethyl cyanocarbonimidodithioate or diphenyl cyanocarbommidate or a functional deπvative thereof. Said reaction can conveniently be performed in a reaction inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, benzene or toluene, optionally cooled on an ice-bath, and in the presence of a base such as, for example, tπethylamine or sodiumbicarbonate The thus obtained intermediate may be subsequently reacted with an intermediate of formula (V) or a functional deπvative thereof, to form an intermediate of formula (Il-a) Said reaction can conveniently be performed in a reaction inert solvent such as, for example, 1,4-dιoxane, in the presence of a base such as, for example, tπethylamine, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst such as, for example, NN-dimethyl-pyndinarnine Stirπng and elevated temperatures may enhance the rate of the reaction -9- 7/ y N O— C,- 4 alkyl NH 2 -CH-C— O— C r4 aLkyl R 2 R 1 o o " R 5 R 4 or Q— C I — C J.H.-NH 2 ► ► (Il-a) . (V) (IV) H 3. s v . s/ CH 3 Alternatively, the above reaction may be performed in reverse order, i.e. first react an intermediate of formula (V) with dimethyl cyanocarbonimidodithioate or diphenyl cyanocarbonimidate or a functional derivative thereof, and subsequently react the thus formed intermediate with an amine of formula (IV). Intermediates of formula (II) wherein D is oxygen, said compounds being represented by formula (Il-b), may be prepared by first yV-acylating an amine of formula (IV) with phenyl chloroformate or a functional derivative thereof. Said /V-acylation can conveniently be performed in a reaction inert solvent such as, for example, dichloromethane, benzene or toluene, optionally cooled on an ice-bath, and in the presence of a base such as, for example, triethylamine or sodiumbicarbonate. The thus obtained intermediate may be subsequently reacted with 2,2-(diCι- 4 alkyloxy) ethanamine (V) or a functional derivative thereof, to form an intermediate of formula (H-b). Said reaction can conveniently be performed in a reaction inert solvent such as, for example, 1,4-dioxane, in the presence of a base such as, for example, triethylamine, and optionally in the presence of a catalyst such as, for example, N V-dimethyl-pyridin- amine. Stirring and elevated temperatures may enhance the rate of the reaction. / =v O O— C,- 4 alkyl / O— C— Cl NH^-CH-C— O— C,- 4 alkyl R 2 R> -/ is 4 Q— c— CH-NH 2 ^ ► (H-b) R 3 (V) (IV) Also, intermediates of formula (Il-b) may be directly formed by reacting an intermediate of formula (IV) with a suitable reagent such as, for example, N-[2,2-di- (Cι-4alkyl)ethyl]-lH-imidazole-l-carboxamide or a functional derivative of any one of said reagents. -10- . O O— C, 4 alkyl N**\ II I N C NH— CH-C— O— C, 4 alkyl R 2 R 1 ^ i Rs J R" Q— C— CH-NH 2 (H-b) R ι 3 3 (IV) In particular, intermediates of formula (Il-b), wherein R 2 is a hydroxy group or, preferably, a protected hydroxy group, the protective group P being a tπmethylsilyl protecting group or a functional deπvative thereof, said intermediates being represented by formula (II-b-1), may be prepared by reacting an intermediate of formula (IV) wherein R 2 is a hydroxy group or, preferably, a protected hydroxy group, the protective group P being a tπmethylsilyl protecting group or a functional derivative thereof, said intermediates being represented by formula (IV- 1), with N-[2,2-dι(Cι-4alkyl)ethyl]- lH-ιmιdazole-1-carboxamιde or a functional derivative thereof O O— C, 4 alkyl ι p I Ν C ΝΗ— CΗ-C— O— C, 4 alkyl O R 1 ^^ R 5 R 4 — c — CΗ-ΝΗ 2 »_- (II-b-1) (IV- 1) Intermediates of formula (IV) wherein R 1 is hydrogen, said intermediates being represented by formula (IV-a), may be prepared by reducing the unsaturated carbon-nitrogen bond in the intermediates of formula (VI) with a suitable reducing agent such as, for example, lithium aluminium hydπde or hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as, for example, Raney nickel. The cyanide moiety in the intermediates of formula (VI) may also be replaced by a functional derivative thereof such as, for example, an oxime moiety. R 2 R 2 I reduction | Q— C— C≡N +- Q— C — CH 2 — NH 2 R 3 R 3 (VI) (IV-a) The synthesis of some of the intermediates of formula (VI) is descπbed in WO 95/04045, WO 96/31485, WO 97/03967 and WO 98/14432. Some of the compounds of formula (I) and some of the intermediates in the present invention contain at least one asymmetric carbon atom Pure stereochemically isomeπc forms of said compounds and said intermediates can be obtained by the application of -11- art-known procedures For example, diastereomers can be separated by physical methods such as selective crystallization or chromatographic techniques, e.g. counter current distπbution, liquid chromatography and the like methods. Enantiomers can be obtained from racemic mixtures by first converting said racemic mixtures with suitable resolving agents such as, for example, chiral acids, to mixtures of diastereomeπc salts or compounds; then physically separating said mixtures of diastereomeπc salts or compounds by, for example, selective crystallization or chromatographic techniques, e g. liquid chromatography and the like methods, and finally converting said separated diastereomeπc salts or compounds into the corresponding enantiomers. Pure stereochemically isomeπc forms of the compounds of formula (I) may also be obtained from the pure stereochemically isomeπc forms of the appropπate intermediates and starting mateπals, provided that the intervening reactions occur stereo- specifically The pure and mixed stereochemically isomeπc forms of the compounds of formula (I) are intended to be embraced within the scope of the present invention. An alternative manner of separating the enantiomeπc forms of the compounds of formula (I) and intermediates involves liquid chromatography, in particular liquid chromatography using a chiral stationary phase The compounds of formula (I), the /V-oxide forms, pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salts and the stereochemically isomeπc forms thereof, are potent inhibitors of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) isoenzymes of family IV (cAMP-specific family) cAMP (adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate) is a key second messenger, the concentration of which affects particular cell activities through activation of enzymes such as kinases. PDE IV is known to hydrolyse cAMP to its corresponding inactive 5'-monophosphate metabolite Hence, inhibition of PDE IV leads to an elevation of cAMP levels in particular cells such as the respiratory smooth muscle cell and a wide vaπety of inflammatory cells, I e. certain lymphocytes, e.g basophils, neutrophils and eosmophils, monocytes and mast-cells A number of allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases are deemed to be caused by higher-than-normal PDE IV concentrations which result in low cAMP levels and hypersensitivity of the thus affected cells for excitatory stimuli (Examples of said hypersensitivity are for example, excessive histamine release from basophils and mast cells or excessive superoxide anion radical formation by eosmophils ) Hence, the present compounds having potent phosphodiesterase IV inhibitory properties are deemed useful agents in alleviating and/or cuπng allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases The functional effects of PDE IV inhibitors are e.g -12- respiratory smooth muscle relaxation, bronchodilation, platelet aggregation inhibition and inhibition of white blood cell mediator release Examples of allergic diseases are bronchial asthma, chei tis, conjunctivitis, contact dermatitis and eczema, irritable bowel disease, deshydroform eczema, urticaπa, vascu tis, vulvitis; examples of atopic diseases are dermatitis and eczema, winterfeet, asthma, allergic rhinitis; and related afflictions are, for example, psoπasis and other hyperprohferative diseases. The compounds of the present invention also have cytokine inhibitory activity A cytokine is any secreted polypeptide that affects the function of other cells by modulating interactions between cells in the immune or inflammatory response Examples of cytokines are monokines and lymphokines and they may be produced by a wide vaπety of cells For instance, a monokine is generally referred to as being produced and secreted by a mononuclear cell, such as a macrophage and/or monocyte but many other cells produce monokines, such as natural killer cells, fibroblasts, basophils, neutrophils, endothelial cells, brain astrocytes, bone marrow stromal cells, epideral keratinocytes, and β-lymphocytes. Lymphokines are generally referred to as being produced by lymphocyte cells. Examples of cytokines include Interleukιn-1 (IL-1), Interleukιn-2 (IL-2), Interleukιn-6 (IL-6), Interleukιn-8 (IL-8), alpha-Tumor Necrosis Factor (αTNF) and beta-Tumor Necrosis Factor (βTNF). The cytokine specifically desired to be inhibited is αTNF Excessive or unregulated TNF production is implicated in mediating or exacerbating a number of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondy tis, osteoarthπtis, gouty arthπtis, and other arthritic conditions, sepsis, septic shock, endotoxic shock, gram negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome, adult respiratory distress syndrome, cerebral malaπa, chronic pulmonary inflammatory disease, sihcosis, pulmonary sarcoidosis, bone resorption diseases, reperfusion injury, graft versus host reaction, allograft rejections, fever and myalgias due to infection, such as influenza, cachexia secondary to infection or malignancy, cachexia secondary to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), AIDS, ARC (A DS related complex), keloid formation, scar tissue formation, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or pyresis The present invention thus also relates to compounds of formula (I) as defined hereinabove, their N-oxides, pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and stereochemically isomeπc forms thereof for use as a medicine, in particular for use as a medicine for treating disease states related to an abnormal enzymatic or catalytic activity of PDE IV, and or disease states related to a physiologically detπmental excess of cytokines, in particular allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases, more in particular asthmatic and atopic diseases, most particular atopic dermatitis Thus the compounds -13- of the present invention may be used for the manufacture of a medicament for treating atopic or asthmatic diseases, more in particular atopic dermatitis. The present invention also relates to a method of treating warm-blooded animals suffeπng from disease states related to an abnormal enzymatic or catalytic activity of PDE IV, and/or disease states related to a physiologically detπmental excess of cytokines, in particular allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases, more in particular asthmatic and atopic diseases, most particular atopic dermatitis. Said method compπses the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a /V-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt or a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof in admixture with a pharmaceutical earner. In general it is contemplated that an effective daily amount would be from 001 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg body weight It is evident that said effective daily amount may be lowered or increased depending on the response of the treated subject and/or depending on the evaluation of the physician prescπbing the compounds of the instant invention. The effective daily amount range mentioned hereinabove are therefore guidelines only and are not intended to limit the scope or use of the invention to any extent. The PDE IV inhibitory activity of the compounds of formula (I) may be demonstrated m the test "Inhibition of recombinant human mononuclear lymphocyte (MNL) phosphodiesterase type IV B produced in insect cells with a baculovirus vector" Several in vivo and in vitro tests may be used to demonstrate the usefulness of the compounds of formula (I) in treating the desenbed allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases. Such tests are for instance, "Bronchoconstπction of the guinea pig trachea in vitro", "Bronchoconstπction of the guinea pig trachea in vivo" and the in vivo tests "Arachidonic acid induced pinnal inflammation in mice", "TPA induced ear inflammation in mice", and "Delayed type hypersensitivity in mice" Further, the present compounds have only very low inhibitory activity on the phosphodiesterase isoenzymes of family III (cGMP-inhibited family) Inhibition of, in particular, PDE III leads to an elevation of cAMP m the cardiac muscle, thereby causing effects on the contractile force of the heart as well as on the relaxation of the heart In the treatment of the desenbed allergic, atopic and inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular effects clearly are undesired. Hence, as the present compounds inhibit PDE IV at much lower concentrations as they inhibit PDE III, their therapeutic use may be adjusted to avoid cardiovascular side-effects. -14- Art-known PDE IV inhibitors often cause adverse gastro-intestmal side effects. Most of the present compounds, however, have few effects on the gastro-intestinal tract, which may be demonstrated in the test "Gastnc emptying of a calonc meal in rats". The designation PDE III and IV as used herein refers to the classification by J. A. Beavo and D. H. Reifsnyder, TIPS Reviews, Apπl 1990, pp. 150-155. The cytokine inhibitory activity of the compounds of formula (I), such as the inhibition of αTNF production, may be demonstrated in the in vitro test "Cytokine production in human whole blood cultures" In addition, the compounds of the present invention are expected to show no or little endocπnological side-effects This may be evidenced by, for instance, the "Testosterone in vivo" test, the "In vitro inhibition of the aromatase activity "-test and the "In vivo inhibition of the aromatase actιvιty"-test. In view of their useful PDE IV and cytokine inhibiting properties, the subject compounds may be formulated into vaπous pharmaceutical compositions for admmi- stration purposes compnsing a pharmaceutically acceptable earner, and as active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I). To prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of this invention, a therapeutically effective amount of the particular compound, in base or acid addition salt form, as the active ingredient is combined in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable earner, which may take a wide vanety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration These pharmaceutical compositions are desirably in unitary dosage form suitable, preferably, for administration orally, rectally, topically, percutaneously, by inhalation or by parenteral injection For example, in prepanng the compositions in oral dosage form, any of the usual pharmaceutical media may be employed, such as, for example, water, glycols, oils, alcohols and the like in the case of oral liquid preparations such as suspensions, syrups, elixirs and solutions; or solid earners such as starches, sugars, kaolin, lubπcants, binders, disintegrating agents and the like in the case of powders, pills, capsules and tablets Because of their ease in administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral unit dosage form, in which case solid pharmaceutical earners are obviously employed For parenteral compositions, the earner will usually compnse steπle water, at least in large part, though other ingredients, for example, to aid solubility, may be included Injectable solutions, for example, may be prepared in which the earner compnses saline solution, glucose solution or a mixture of saline and glucose solution Injectable suspensions -15- may also be prepared in which case appropπate liquid earners, suspending agents and the like may be employed. In the compositions suitable for percutaneous administration, the earner optionally compπses a penetration enhancing agent and/or a suitable wettable agent, optionally combined with suitable additives of any nature in minor proportions, which additives do not cause any significant deletenous effects on the skin. Said additives may facilitate the administration to the skin and/or may be helpful for prepaπng the desired compositions. These compositions may be administered in vanous ways, e.g., as a transdermal patch, as a spot-on or as an ointment or cream As appropπate compositions for topical application there may be cited all compositions usually employed for topically admimstenng drugs e g creams, gelhes, dressings, shampoos, tinctures, pastes, lotions, solutions, ointments, salves, powders and the like Application of said compositions may be by aerosol, e g with a propellent such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, a freon, or without a propellent such as a pump spray, drops, lotions, or a semisohd such as a thickened composition which can be applied by a swab In particular, semisohd compositions such as salves, creams, gelhes, ointments and the like will conveniently be used In order to enhance the solubility and/or the stability of the compounds of formula (I) in pharmaceutical compositions, it can be advantageous to employ α-, β- or γ-cyclo- dextnns or their deπvatives, in particular hydroxyalkyl substituted cyclodextnns, e g 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextnn Also co-solvents such as alcohols may improve the solubility and/or the stability of the compounds of formula (I) in pharmaceutical compositions In the preparation of aqueous compositions, addition salts of the subject compounds are obviously more suitable due to their increased water solubility It is especially advantageous to formulate the aforementioned pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form for ease of administration and uniformity of dosage Unit dosage form refers to physically discrete units suitable as unitary dosages, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active ingredient calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect in association with the required pharmaceutical earner Examples of such unit dosage forms are tablets (including scored or coated tablets), capsules, pills, powder packets, wafers, suppositoπes, injectable solutions or suspensions and the like, and segregated multiples thereof The following examples are intended to illustrate the scope of the present invention Expeπmental part Hereinafter, "THF" means tetrahydrofuran, "RT" means room temperature, "DMF" means /V,/V-dιmethylformamιde, "EtOAc" means ethylacetate and "DIPE" means 9/50262 -16- dnsopropylether. A Preparation of the intermediate compounds Example Al a) A mixture of (±)-6-(2-ammo-l-methylethyl)-4-(cyclopentyloxy)-3-pyndιnol (0.037 mol) and NaHCO 3 (0 0814 mol) in CH-C1 2 (200 ml) was stirred at 0-5 °C. A solution of phenyl carbonochloπdate (0.074 mol) in CFLCL, (50 ml) was added dropwise and the resulting reaction mixture was stirred for one hour at RT. The reaction mixture was poured out into water and the layers were separated. The aqueous phase was extracted twice with CH-C1 2 The combined organic layers were dned, filtered and the solvent evaporated, yielding 18 2 g (±)-phenyl [2-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-[(phenoxycarbonyl) oxy]-2-pyndιnyl]propyl]carbamate (interm. 1) b) A mixture of intermediate (1) (0.037 mol), 2,2-dιmethoxyethanamιne (0J48 mol), tπethylamine (0 148 mol) and 4-dιmethylamιnopyndιne (catalytic quantity) in 1,4-dιoxane (150 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 60 hours. The solvent was evaporated The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluenf CH.C / CH 3 OH 95/5 and CH 2 Cl 2 /(CH 3 OHWH 3 ) 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 13g (95.6%) of (±)-/V-[2-[4-(cyclo pentyloxy)-5-hydroxy-2-pyπdιnyl]propyl]-N-(2,2-dιmethoxyethyl)urea (mterm. 2). Example A2 a) A mixture of 4-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyπdιneethanamιne (0.026 mol) and triethylamine (0 03 mol) in CFL,C1 2 (75ml) was stined at 0-5°C. A mixture of phenyl carbonochloπdate (0 03 mol) in CH 2 C1 2 (25ml) was added dropwise. The mixture was stined at RT for 1 hour and then washed with NaOH (IN) and water. The organic layer was separated, dned, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was puπfied over silica gel on a glass filter (eluent: CH,Cl 2 /CH 3 OH 98/2). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dned, yielding 7.2g (77.7%) of phenyl [2-[4-(cycIopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyndιnyl]ethyl]carbamate (interm. 3). b) A mixture of intermediate (3) (0.018 mol), 2,2-dιmethoxyethanamιne (0.02 mol), 4-dιmethylamιnopyπdιne (0.005 mol) and tπethylamine (0.036 mol) in 1,4-dιoxane (75 ml) was stined and refluxed for 48 hours The solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in CH.C1 2 and washed with NaOH IN and water. The organic layer was separated, dned, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 6.6g (100%) of /V-[2-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyndιnyl]ethyl]-Λ^'-(2,2-dιmethoxyethyl)urea (interm. 4) -17- Example A3 a) A mixture of lJ'-carbonylbis[lH-imidazole] (2 mol) in EtOAc (800 ml) was stined and cooled on an ice-bath, resulting in a suspension. 2,2-dimethoxyethanamine (2 mol) was added dropwise while the temperature was kept below 25 °C. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours at RT, then for 30 minutes while cooling on an ice-bath. The precipitate was filtered off, stirred in EtOAc (400 ml) during 15 minutes, and on an ice-bath during 15 minutes. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with DIPE (2 x 50 ml), and dried, yielding 277g (70%) of N-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)-l#- imidazole-1-carboxamide (interm. 5). b) A mixture of (±)-4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-5-methoxy-β-methyl-2-pyridineethan- amine (0.025 mol) and intermediate (5) (0.025 mol) in TΗF (100 ml) was stirred and refluxed for 2 hours. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was stined in water and this mixture was extracted with toluene and EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dried, filtered, and the solvent evaporated, yielding 9Jg (100%) of (±)-N-[2-[4-(cyclo- propylmethoxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyridineyl]propyl]-N-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)urea (interm. 6). Example A4 a) A mixture of 5-methoxy-4-[(tetrahydro-3-furanyl)oxy]-2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde (0.057 mol) and Znl 2 (0.0027 mol) in CΗ,C1 2 (130 ml) was stined at RT. Trimethyl silanecarbonitrile (0.0684 mol) in CH,C1 2 (30 ml) was added dropwise. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred for 90 minutes at RT. Water was added and the mixture was stined for 10 minutes (2 x). The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added and azeotroped on the rotary evaporator, yielding (±)-5-methoxy-4-[(tetrahydro-3-furanyl)oxy]-α-[(trimethylsilyl) oxy]-2- pyridineacetonitrile (quantitative yield) (interm. 7). b) A mixture of intermediate (7) (0.074 mol) in THF (500 ml) was hydrogenated with Raney nickel (3 g) as a catalyst. After uptake of EL, (2 equivalents), the catalyst was filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated, yielding (±)-5-methoxy-4-[(tetrahydro-3- furanyl)oxy]-β-[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]-2-pyridineethanamine(quantitative yield) (interm. 8). Example A5 a) A solution of (±)-6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-β-methyl-2-pyridineethanamine (0.037 mol) and diphenyl Ν-cyanocarbonimidate (0.037 mol) in ethanol (100 ml) was stined for one day at RT. The precipitate was filtered off, washed with ethanol, DIPE, then dried, yielding 9g (61.7%) of (±)-phenyl N'-cyano-N-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5- methoxy-2-pyridinyl]propyl]carbamimidate(interm. 9). The filtrate was evaporated -18- ; under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in CH,C1 2 . The organic solution was washed three times with 2 N NaOH. The organic layer was separated, dried, filtered and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 4Jg of intermediate (9). Total yield is 89%. b) A mixture of 2,2-dimethoxyethanamine (0.015 mol), triethylamine (0.026 mol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.0065 mol) in 1,4-dioxane (50 ml) was added to a solution of intermediate (9) (0.013 mol) in 1,4-dioxane (50 ml). The resulting reaction mixture was stined and refluxed overnight. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was taken up into water and this mixture was extracted with CH,C1 2 . The separated organic layer was dried, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH-Cl 2 /CH 3 OH 99/1). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 4J3g (79%) of (±)-N'-cyano-N-[2- [6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyridinyl]propyl]- v"-(2,2-dimethoxyethyl)guanidine (interm. 10). Example A6 Reaction under N 2 . A solution of ethanediol dichloride (0.0210 mol) in CH-C1 2 (40 ml) was stined at -60°C. A solution of dimethyl sulfoxide (0.0420 mol) in CH.C1. (10 ml) was added dropwise and stirring was continued for 5 rnin at -60°C. A solution of l,3-dihydro-l-[2-hydroxy-2-[5-methoxy-4-[(5-phenylpentyl)oxy]-2-pyridinyl]ethyl]- 2HJmidazol-2-one (compound 18) (0.0070 mol) in CΗ.C1 2 (10 ml) was added dropwise at -60°C and stirring was continued for 15 min at -60°C. Triethylamine (0.0770 mol) was added dropwise at -60°C and stirring was continued for 5 min. The mixture was treated with water, then extracted with CH,C1 2 . The separated organic layer was dried (MgS0 4 ), filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: OLCl-VCH j OH 94/6). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated, yielding 1.8 g (69.6%) of 1,3-dihydro- l-[2-[5-methoxy-4-[(5-phenylpentyl)oxy]-2-pyridinyl]-2-oxoethyl]-2H-imidazol-2-one (interm. 11). Preparation of the compounds of formula (I) Example B 1 A mixture of intermediate (2) (0.037 mol) and HC1 IN (0.1 mol) in methanol (300 ml) was stirred for 5 days at RT. The mixture was basified with NH 3 /CH 3 OH. The solvent was evaporated and the residue was purified by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CIi,CyCH 3 OH 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stined in DIPE, filtered off, then dried, yielding 5.9g 9/50262 -19- (52.7%) of (±)-l-[2-[4-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-hydroxy-2-pyπdιnyl]propyl]-l,3-dιhydro- 2H-ιmιdazol-2-one (compound 1). Example B2 A mixture of compound (1) (0.0194 mol), chloro difluoromethyl and K-,CO 3 (0.0194 mol) in methanol (100 ml) was stirred for 16 hours at 125 °C in an autoclave. The solvent was evaporated. The residue was puπfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent. CELCl 2 /CH 3 OH 95/5, upgrading to 80/20). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 2-propanone and converted into the hydrochlonc acid salt (1:2) with HCl/2-propanol. The precipitate was filtered off and dned, yielding 0 58g (7%) of (±)-l-[2-[4-(cyclopentyl- oxy)-5-[(dιfluoromethyl)oxy]-2-pyπdιnyl]propyl]-l,3-dιhydro-2H-ιmιdazol-2- one.2ΗCl (compound 20) Example B3 HC1 0 5M (30 3 ml) was added dropwise to a solution of intermediate (10) (0.0101 mol) in THF (82 ml) and the resulting reaction mixture was stined and refluxed for 2 hours The reaction mixture was cooled, treated with water, alkalized with Na,C0 3 and this mixture was extracted with EtOAc. The separated organic layer was dned, filtered and the solvent evaporated. The residue was puπfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CILCyCH j OH 90/10) The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated The residue was repuπfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent: CH,Cl 2 /CH 3 OH 100/0, upgrading to 95/5). The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated The residue was stined in DIPE, filtered off, and dned The obtained product was repunfied by high-performance liquid chromatography. The pure fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stined in DIPE, filtered off, washed and dned, yielding 0 54g (±)-[l-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyπdιnyl]propyl]-l,3- dιhydro-2H-ιmιdazol-2-ylιdene]cyanamιde (compound 22). Example B4 Reaction under N, flow A solution of intermediate (11) (0.0049 mol) in THF (50 ml) was stined at 0-5 °C CH 3 MgCl (0.0054 mol) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was decomposed with a saturated aqueous NH 4 C1 solution, then extracted with CH.C1-. The separated organic layer was dned, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was punfied by column chromatography over silica gel (eluent. CELCl CH-OH 95/5) The desired fractions were collected and the solvent was evaporated The residue (0.5 g) was repuπfied by high-performance liquid chromatography (eluent CH,Cl,/CH 3 OH 98/2, upgrading to 90/10) The pure fractions were 9/50262 -20- collected and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was stined in DIPE, filtered off, washed, then dried, yielding 0.20g (±)-l,3-dihydro-l-[2-hydroxy-2-[5-methoxy- 4-[(5-phenylpentyl)oxy]-2-pyridinyl]propyl]-2H-imidazol-2-one (compound 23). The following compounds were prepared according to one of the above examples (Ex. No.). Table 1 H — N r_ \ , — CH-7- Y Co. Ex. R 2 R 3 R 7 R 8 Salt No. no. 1 B.l CH 3 H cyclopentyl H 2 B. l CH 3 H 3-tetrahydrofuranyl H 3 B.l H H cyclopentyl CH 3 4 BJ CH 3 H cyclopentyl CH 3 HC1 (1: 1) hydrate (1:1) 5 BJ H H cyclopropylmethyl CH 3 6 BJ CH 3 H cyclopropylmethyl CH 3 7 BJ CH 3 CH 3 cyclopentyl CH 3 9 BJ CH 3 H 3 -tetrahydrofuranyl CH 3 10 BJ CH 3 H phenylpentyl CH 3 HC1 (1:1) 15 BJ OH H 3-tetrahydrofuranyl CH 3 16 BJ OH H C ^ CH 3 17 BJ OH H cyclopropylmethyl CH 3 18 BJ OH H phenylpentyl CH 3 19 BJ OH H cyclopentyl CH 3 20 B.2 CH 3 H cyclopentyl CHF 2 HC1 (1:2) 21 B.2 CH 3 H 3-tetrahydrofuranyl CHF 2 HC1 (1:2) 23 B.4 OH CH 3 phenylpentyl CH 3 Table 2 H— N OR ' Y O R OR 8 Co. Ex. R 2 R 3 R 7 R 8 No. no. 11 BJ H H cyclopentyl CH 3 12 BJ CH 3 H cyclopentyl CH 9/50262 -21- Table 3 H— N ^ OR' Y OR 8 D Co. Ex. R 2 R 3 R 7 R 8 D No. no. 8 BJ CH 3 H CH 3 O 13 BJ H H C cycloopen-tyl CH 3 O 14 BJ CH 3 H cyclopentyl CH 3 O 22 BJ CH3 H cyclopentyl CH 3 N-CN Table 4 lists both the experimental (column heading "Exper") and theoretical (column heading "Theor") elemental analysis values for carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and nitrogen (N) for the compounds as prepared in the experimental part hereinabove. Table 4 Co. C H N No. Theor Exper Theor Exper Theor Exper 3 61.84 63.35 7.08 6.98 13.46 13.85 4 54.77 54.91 7.17 7.05 11.21 11.3 5 62.05 62.27 6.76 6.62 14.39 14.52 6 63.28 63.35 7.05 6.98 13.74 13.85 7 65.08 65.23 7.73 7.6 12.71 12.68 8 69.04 69.02 6.6 6.34 11.71 11.5 9 60.06 60.18 6.88 6.63 13.24 13.16 11 63.47 63.35 6.78 6.98 13.88 13.85 12 64.29 64.33 7.51 7.3 13.21 13.24 13 63.41 63.35 6.91 6.98 13.73 13.85 14 64.25 64.33 7.34 7.3 13.23 13.24 15 56.56 56.07 6.15 5.96 13.48 13.08 16 64.86 65.38 5.8 5.76 11.17 11.44 17 58.92 59.01 6.33 6.27 14.13 13.76 18 66.32 66.48 7 6.85 10.69 10.57 19 59.65 60.18 6.51 6.63 13.1 13.16 20 47.78 47.9 5.25 5.44 9.75 9.86 21 44.73 44.87 4.67 4.94 9.66 9.81 22 63.25 63.32 6.86 6.79 20.77 20.51 23 66.11 67.13 6.95 7J 9.97 10.21 -22- C. Phannacological example Example CJ: Inhibition of recombinant human mononuclear lymphocyte (MNU) phosphodiesterase type IV B produced in insect cells with a baculovirus vector. The alleviating and/or curing effect of the instant compounds on allergic and atopic diseases was assessed by an in vitro assay system to detect an inhibiting effect on the recombinant human MNL phosphodiesterase type IV B. Seventy-two hours after infection with recombinant baculovirus, the insect cells were harvested and pelleted at 500 g for 5 minutes. The cells were lysed in 10 ml lysis- buffer consisting of 20 mM Tris, 10 rnM EGTA, 2 raM Na EDTA, 1% Triton-X-100, lmM Na3VO4, 10 mM NaF, 2 μg/ml of leupeptine, pepstatine and aprotinine, 0.3 μg ml benzamidine and 100 μg/ml TPCK pH 7.5. After 5 minutes on ice, solubilized cells were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 15 minutes at 4°C. The resulting supernatant was filtered through a 0.45 μm filter (Millipore) and brought to TBS buffer (50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl pH 7.4). The supernatant containing phosphodiesterase (PDE) type IV B, was subsequently loaded onto a 5 ml anti-FLAG-M 2 affinity gel column, previously activated with 5 ml 100 mM glycine pH 3.5 and equilibrated with 20 ml 50 mM Tris, 150 mM NaCl pH 7.4. After washing the column with equilibration buffer, PDE IV was eluted in 1.5 ml fractions containing 37.5 μl 1M Tris pH 8. The fractions were dialyzed overnight against 20 mM Tris, 2mM Na 2 EDTA and 400 mM NaCl pH 7.5 and tested for PDE IV activity. Identification was done on SDS PAGE and Western Blot (anti-FLAG-M2). Active fractions were pooled, brought to 10% glycerol and stored at -70°C. The incubation mixture (pH 8) (200 μl) contained 20 mM Tris, 10 mM magnesium sulphate, 0.8 μM 3 H-cAMP (310 mCi/mmole) and the phosphodiesterase type IV, the amount depending on the enzymatic activity. A protein concentration was chosen that showed a linear increase of phosphodiesterase activity during an incubation period of maximum 10 minutes at 37°C and where less than 10% of the initial substrate was hydrolyzed. When the effect of different compounds on phosphodiesterase activity was tested, the medium without cAMP was incubated with the compound(s) or its carrier (DMSO - 1% final concentration) for 5 minutes. The enzymatic reaction was started by addition of 3 H-cAMP and stopped 10 minutes later after transferring the microtiter-plate in a waterbath at 100°C for 5 minutes. After cooling to RT, alkaline phosphatase (0.25 μg/ml) was added and the mixture was incubated at 37°C for 20 minutes. 100 μl of the mixture was subsequently applied to a GF-B filter-microtiter-plate (Millipore) filled 9/50262 -23- with 300 μl DEAE-Sephadex-A25 suspension. The plate was washed 3 times with 75 μl 20 mM Tns pH 7.5 and the filtrates were collected for counting in the Packard Top Count scintillation counter. The inhibiting effect of the present compounds on recombinant human MNL phosphodiesterase PDE IV B was measured at different concentrations of the instant compounds The % activity of PDE IV B versus controle was calculated and listed in Table 5 Table 5 Co Test % Co Test % No. Dose Activity No Dose Activity 3 10 6 M 56 13 10 7 M 49 4 10 7 M 60 14 10 7 M 18 5 10 6 M 57 15 10 6 M 88 6 10 7 M 72.5 16 10 6 M 63 7 10 7 M 78 17 10 7 M 75 8 10 7 M 68 5 18 10 6 M 77 9 10 7 M 68 19 10 6 M 60.5 10 10 6 M 57 21 10 6 M 73 11 10 7 M 75 22 10 7 M 25 12 10 7 M 59 23 10 6 M 35 D Composition examples The following formulations exemplify typical pharmaceutical compositions suitable for systemic or topical administration to animal and human subjects in accordance with the present invention "Active ingredient" (A.I.) as used throughout these examples relates to a compound of formula (I), or a N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable addition salt or a stereochemically isomeπc form thereof. Example D 1 film-coated tablets Preparation of tablet core A mixture of 100 g of the A.I., 570 g lactose and 200 g starch was mixed well and thereafter humidified with a solution of 5 g sodium dodecyl sulfate and 10 g polyvinyl- pyrrohdone in about 200 ml of water. The wet powder mixture was sieved, dned and sieved again Then there was added 100 g microcrystalhne cellulose and 15 g -24- hydrogenated vegetable oil. The whole was mixed well and compressed into tablets, giving 10.000 tablets, each comprising 10 mg of the active ingredient. Coating To a solution of 10 g methyl cellulose in 75 ml of denaturated ethanol there was added a solution of 5 g of ethyl cellulose in 150 ml of dichloromethane. Then there were added 75 ml of dichloromethane and 2.5 ml 1,2,3-propanetriol. 10 g of polyethylene glycol was molten and dissolved in 75 ml of dichloromethane. The latter solution was added to the former and then there were added 2.5 g of magnesium octadecanoate, 5 g of poly vinylpynolidone and 30 ml of concentrated color suspension and the whole was homogenated. The tablet cores were coated with the thus obtained mixture in a coating apparatus. Example D.2 : 2% topical cream To a solution of 200 mg hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrine in purified water is added 20 mg of A.I. while stirring. Hydrochloric acid is added until complete dissolution and next sodium hydroxide is added until pH 6.0. While stirring, 50 mg glycerol and 35 mg polysorbate 60 are added and the mixture is heated to 70°C. The resulting mixture is added to a mixture of 100 mg mineral oil, 20 mg stearyl alcohol, 20 mg cetyl alcohol, 20 mg glycerol monostearate and 15 mg sorbate 60 having a temperature of 70°C while mixing slowly. After cooling down to below 25°C, the rest of the purified water q.s. ad 1 g is added and the mixture is mixed to homogenous.

Claims: 9/50262 -25- Claims 1. A compound having the formula A— B ψ / \ I I L— ^N— CH— C— Q Y R 3 (i) wherein : L is hydrogen; Cι- 6 alkyl; Cι-6alkyl substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, Cι- 4 alkyloxy, Cι- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, mono- and di(Cι- 4 alkyl)amino, aryl and Het 2 ; C 3 _ 6 alkenyl; C 3 _6alkenyl substituted with aryl; Cι- 6 alkylcarbonyl; Cι-6alkyloxycarbonyl; piperidyl; piperidyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; Ci.βalkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl; -A-B- is a bivalent radical of formula : -CR 4 =CR0 (a-1); or -CHR0CHR0 (a-2); D is O or NR 6 ; Q is a radical of the formula N ^ OR' OR 7 -OR' 0R5 (b-i); (b . 2); (b . 3) . R 1 is hydrogen or Cι- 4 alkyl; or R' and R 2 together may form a bivalent radical of formula -(CH 2 ) m - wherein m is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R 2 is hydrogen; halo; Cι- 6 alkyl; trifluoromethyl; C 3 - 6 cycloalkyl; carboxyl; Cι- 4 alkyl- oxycarbonyl; C3-6cycloalkylaminocarbonyl; aryl; Het'; or Cι- 6 alkyl substituted with cyano, amino, hydroxy, Cι- 4 alkylcarbonylamino, aryl or Het 1 ; or R 2 is a radical of formula : -O-R 9 (c-1); or -NH-R 10 (c-2); R 3 is hydrogen, halo, hydroxy, Cι.6alkyl or Ci^alkyloxy; or R 2 and R 3 taken together may form a bivalent radical of formula : -(CH 2 )n- (d-1) -CH2-CH2-O-CH2-CH2- (d-2) -CH 2 -CH 2 -N(R")-CH2-CH2- (d-3); or -CH 2 -CH=CH-CH 2 - (d-4) ΛUfnΛ „ PCT/EP99/02045 9/50262 -26- wherein n is 2, 3, 4 or 5; R 4 and R 5 are each independently selected from hydrogen or Cι- 4 alkyl; R 6 is hydrogen, Cι. 4 alkyl or cyano; R 7 and R 8 each independently are hydrogen; Cι-6alkyl; difluoromethyl; trifluoromethyl; C3-6cycloalkyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms each independently selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentapyridyl; bicyclo[2.2J]-2-heptenyl; bicyclo[2.2J]heptanyl; Cι-6alkylsulfonyl; arylsulfonyl; or Cι-ιoalkyl substituted with one or two substituents each independently selected from aryl, pyridyl, thienyl, furanyl, indanyl, 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentapyridyl, C 3 - 7 cycloalkyl and a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms each independently selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; R 9 is hydrogen; Ci-βalkyl; Ci.galkyl substituted with hydroxy, carboxyl, Cι- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, amino, mono- or di(Cι- 4 alkyl)amino, Ηet'or aryl; R 10 is hydrogen; Ci.galkyl; Cι. 4 alkylcarbonyl; Ci^alkyl substituted with hydroxy, carboxyl, Cι- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl, amino, mono- or di(Cι- 4 alkyl)amino, Ηet'or aryl; R" is hydrogen, Ci-galkyl, Cι-6alkylsulfonyl or -toluenesulfonyl; aryl is phenyl or phenyl substituted with one, two or three substituents each independently selected from halo, hydroxy, Ci- 4 alkyl, Cι- 4 alkyloxy, C3-6cycloalkyl, trifluoromethyl, amino, nitro, carboxyl, Cι- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl and C i - 4 alky lcarbonylamino ; Ηet' is pyridyl; pyridyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl; thienyl; thienyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkylcarbonylamino; hydroxy- pyridyl, hydroxypyridyl substituted with C^alkyl or Ci- 4 alkoxyCι- 4 alkyl; imidazolyl; imidazolyl substituted with Cι. 4 alkyl; thiazolyl; thiazolyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl; oxazolyl; oxazolyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl; isoquinolinyl; isoquinolinyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl; quinohnonyl; quinohnonyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl; morphohnyl; piperidyl; piperidyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl, Ci- 4 alkyloxycarbonyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; piperazinyl; piperazinyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl, Cι_ 4 alkyloxycarbonyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; and Ηet 2 is morphohnyl; piperidyl; piperidyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; piperazinyl; piperazinyl substituted with Cι- 4 alkyl or arylCι- 4 alkyl; pyridyl; pyridyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl; furanyl; furanyl substituted with C 1 . 4 a.kyl; thienyl or thienyl substituted with Ci- 4 alkyl or Cι. 4 alkylcarbonylamino; an N-oxide form, a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt and a stereochemically isomeric form thereof. -27- 2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R 7 and R 8 are each independently Ci-βalkyl; C 3 - 6 cycloalkyl; difluoromethyl; a saturated 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocycle containing one or two heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen; indanyl; or Ci-ioalkyl substituted with aryl, indanyl, 6,7-dιhydro-5H- cyclopentapyπdyl or C 3 -6cycloalkyl. 3. A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein R 2 and R 3 are each independently hydrogen, hydroxy or Ci-galkyl. 4 A compound according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein R 7 is cyclopentyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, cyclopropylmethyl, 5-phenylpentyl or indanyl; R 8 is hydrogen, methyl or difluoromethyl; R 2 is hydrogen or methyl; R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy or methyl and R 1 , R 4 , R 5 and L are hydrogen. 5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein the compound is : [l-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2-pyπdιnyI]propyl]-l,3-dιhydro-2H- ιmιdazol-2-yhdene]cyanamιde; and [l-[2-[6-(cyclopentyloxy)-5-methoxy-2- pyndinyl] propyl]-l,3-dιhydro-2H-ιmιdazol-2-one, or an N-oxide, a stereochemically isomeπc form or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base addition salt thereof. 6. A composition compπsing a pharmaceutically acceptable earner, and as active ingredient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 7 A process of prepanng a composition as claimed in claim 6, characteπzed in that a pharmaceutically acceptable earner is intimately mixed with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound as claimed in any one claims 1 to 5. 8. A compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 for use as a medicine. 9. Use of a compound as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 in the manufacture of a medicament useful for treating atopic or asthmatic diseases. 10. A process of preparing a compound as claimed in claim 1, characteπzed by a) cyclization of an intermediate of formula (II) or a functional deπvative thereof wherein R'to R 5 , D and Q are defined as m claim 1, 62 -28- R 4 R= R 2 R 1 D O— C [ . 4 alkyl 1 R 2 Q—C— CH-NH-C — NH-C— C— O— C , . 4 alkyl H — N M R .. N— CH— C— Q R J R 4 R 5 J fc D (ID (I-a-1) in a reaction inert solvent and in the presence of a suitable acid; thus forming a compound of formula (I-a-1); b) cyclization of an intermediate of formula (II- 1) or a functional derivative thereof wherein R'to R 5 , D and Q are defined as in claim 1 and P is hydrogen or a trimethylsilyl protecting group or a functional derivative thereof, P R 4 R 5 / O R >ι' D 0-C,. 4 alkyl J R ' OH Q—C— CH-NH-C— NH-C— C—0—C,. 4 alkyl »- H — N N— CH— C— Q R 3 R 4 R 5 fl i 3 D (II-l) (I-a-1-1) in a reaction inert solvent and in the presence of a suitable acid; thus forming a compound of formula (I-a- 1-1); and, if desired, converting compounds of formula (I) into each other following art- known transformations, and further, if desired, converting the compounds of formula (I), into a therapeutically active non-toxic acid addition salt by treatment with an acid, or into a therapeutically active non-toxic base addition salt by treatment with a base, or conversely, converting the acid addition salt form into the free base by treatment with alkali, or converting the base addition salt into the free acid by treatment with acid; and, if desired, preparing stereochemically isomeric forms or N-oxide forms thereof.

Inventors: DIAZ-MARTINEZ ADOLFO, DIELS GASTON STANISLAS MARCELL, FREYNE EDDY JEAN EDGARD, MATESANZ-BALLESTEROS MARIA ENC, DIAZ-MARTINEZ, ADOLFO, DIELS, GASTON, STANISLAS, MARCELLA, FREYNE, EDDY, JEAN, EDGARD, MATESANZ-BALLESTEROS, MARIA ENCARNACION
Applicants: DIAZ MARTINEZ ADOLFO, DIELS GASTON STANISLAS MARCELL, FREYNE EDDY JEAN EDGARD, JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA NV, MATESANZ BALLESTEROS MARIA ENC, DIAZ-MARTINEZ, ADOLFO, DIELS, GASTON, STANISLAS, MARCELLA, FREYNE, EDDY, JEAN, EDGARD, JANSSEN PHARMACEUTICA N.V., MATESANZ-BALLESTEROS, MARIA ENCARNACION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C07D401
IPC codes: A61K31, A61P11, A61P17, A61P29, A61P37, A61P43, C07D401, C07D405, C07D407