Abstract: The invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or stereoisomers thereof. The compounds of the invention are useful in therapy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compound of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and/or stereoisomers thereof. The compounds of the invention are useful in therapy.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (1) ##STR1## are described wherein Y is a halogen atom or a group --OR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group; X is --O--, --S--, or --N(R.sup.6), wherein R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, is each a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl, --CO.sub.2 R.sup.7 (wherein R.sup.7 is a hydrogen atom, am optionally substituted alkyl, aralkyl, aryl, aryloxyalkyl, alkanoyloxyalkyl or aroyloxyalkyl group), --CONR.sup.8 R.sup.9 (where R.sup.8 and R.sup.9, which may be the same or different, is as defined for R.sup.7), --CSNR.sup.8 R.sup.9, --CN or --CH.sub.2 CN group; Z is --(CH.sub.2).sub.n -- where n is zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.

Abstract: Compounds of the general formula (1) ##STR1## are described wherein Y is halogen or --OR.sup.1, where R.sup.1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; X is --O--, --S-- or --N(R.sup.8)--, where R.sup.8 is hydrogen or alkyl; R.sup.2 is substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, halogen or --OR.sup.9, where R.sup.9 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxyalkyl, or alkanoyl, or formyl, carboxamido or thiocarboxamido; R.sup.4 and R.sup.5, which may be the same or different, are each --(CH.sub.2).sub.n Ar, where Ar is a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group or monocyclic or bicyclic heteroaryl and n is integer of 0 to 3; R.sup.6 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; R.sup.7 is hydrogen or substituted or unsubstituted alkyl; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides thereof.

Abstract: An enantioselective multi-stage process is described which uses as a starting material an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated olefin of formula (1):Ar--CH.dbd.C(R.sup.4)COAux (1)where Ar and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, is each a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms; and Aux is the residue of a chiral (R- or S-) auxiliary.In the process, the olefin is converted to a chiral triarylethane which is of use in medicine.

Abstract: Compounds of general formula (1) ##STR1## are described wherein Y is a halogen atom or a group --OR.sup.1, wherein R.sup.1 is an optionally substituted alkyl group; X is --O--, --S-- or --N(R.sup.6)--, where R.sup.6 is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; R.sup.2 is an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl group; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, is each a group --(CH.sup.2).sub.n Ar, where Ar is a monocyclic or bicyclic aryl group optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulphur or nitrogen atoms and n is zero or an integer 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.5 is a hydrogen atom or an optionally substituted alkyl group; and the salts, solvates, hydrates and N-oxides. Compounds according to the invention are potent, selective and orally active PDE IV inhibitors and are useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of asthma.

Abstract: Cross-linking reagents which are highly specific for sulphydryl groups and react with thiols at an excellent rate. The essential feature of the reagents is at least one vinyl group conjugated with an armoatic nitrogen heterocycle. Particular examples include vinyl pyridines, vinyl pyrimidines and vinyl triazines.