BIARYL PDE4 INHIBITORS FOR TREATING PULMONARY AND CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS

1 . A compound of formula Ia, Ib, Ic or Id:

or salt thereof wherein

R 1 is an optionally substituted carbocycle or optionally substituted heterocycle of three or fewer rings;

R 1a is chosen from

(a) a residue chosen from

 wherein R 40 is chosen from H, halogen, OH, NH 2 and CH 3 ;

(b) a substituted heterocycle of three or fewer rings or substituted carbocycle of three or fewer rings; and

(c) a heterocycle that is itself substituted with a heterocycle carrying a further substituent;

wherein substituents on the heterocycle or carbocycle are chosen from hydroxy, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carboxyalkylcarbonylamino, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxy, carboxyalkylthio, carboxyalkylaminocarbonylamino, guanidino, the residue of an amino acid and the residue of an N-methylated amino acid;

R 2 is an optionally substituted carbocycle or optionally substituted heterocycle of two or fewer rings;

R 3 is chosen from H, —C(═O)NH 2 , —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl-R 30 , —(C 2 -C 6 )alkyl-R 31 , and saturated 4- or 5-membered heterocycle optionally substituted with methyl;

R 30 is chosen from —C(═O)NH 2 and 4- or 5-membered heterocycle optionally substituted with methyl;

R 31 is chosen from (C 1 -C 4 )alkoxy, amino, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino and di(C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino;

R 4 is chosen from H and F;

R 6 is chosen from H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and halogen;

X is N, N→O, or C—R 5 ;

R 5 is chosen from H, halogen, OH, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, CF 3 , CN, NH 2 , CH 2 OH, CH 2 NH 2 and C≡CH; and

M is chosen from direct bond, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—, —O—, —NR 22 —, —S(O) n —, —C(═O)—, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )C(R 20 )(R 21 )—, —C(R 20 )═C(R 21 )—, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—O—, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—NR 22 —, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—S(O) n —, —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—C(═O)—, —O—C(R 20 )(R 2 )—, —NR 22 —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—, —S(O) n —C(R 20 )(R 21 )—, —C(═O)—C(R 20 )(R 21 )— and

is a five or six-membered ring optionally substituted with methyl;

n is zero, one or two; and

R 20 , R 21 and R 22 are selected independently in each occurrence from H and (C 1 -C 4 )alkyl.

2 . A compound or salt of formula Ia or Ic according to claim 1 wherein X is N or N→O.

3 . A compound or salt of formula Ia or Ic according to claim 1 wherein X is CR 5 .

4 . A compound or salt according to any of claims 1 , 2 or 3 wherein M is chosen from direct bond, —CH 2 —, —CH(OH)—, —C[(CH 3 )(OH)]—, —C[(CH 3 )(NH 2 )]—, —C(═O)—, —O—, —NH—, —N(CH 3 )—, —S(O) n —, —CH 2 NH—, —CH 2 CH 2 —, —CH═CH—, —CH 2 S(O) n —, —CH 2 O— and

5 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 wherein R 1 or R 1a is a substituted phenyl.

6 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 wherein R 1 or R 1a is an optionally substituted heterocycle chosen from pyrazole, pyrrole, indole, quinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, benzofuran, benzodioxan, benzodioxole, morpholine, thiazole, pyridine, pyridine N-oxide, pyrimidine, thiene, furan, oxazole, oxazoline, oxazolidine, isoxazolidine, isoxazole, dioxane, azetidine, piperazine, piperidine, pyrrolidine, pyridazine, azepine, pyrazolidine, imidazole, imidazoline, imidazolidine, purine, imidazolopyridine, pyrazine, thiazolidine, isothiazole, 1,2-thiazine-1,1-dioxide, 2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2.2.2]octane, quinuclidine, isothiazolidine, benzimidazole, thiadiazole, benzopyran, benzothiazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazole, benzoxadiazole, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, benzothiene, thiamorpholine, thiamorpholine sulfoxide, thiamorpholine sulfone, oxadiazole, triazole, tetrazole, isoindole, pyrrolopyridine, triazolopyridine and the dihydro and tetrahydro congeners thereof.

7 . A compound or salt according to claim 6 wherein R 1 or R 1a is an optionally substituted heterocycle chosen from pyrazole, benzodioxole, morpholine, thiazole, pyridine, pyridine N-oxide, pyrimidine, thiene, oxazolidine, isoxazole, azetidine, piperazine, pyrrolidine, imidazole, imidazolidine, imidazolopyridine, pyrazine, 1,2-thiazine-1,1-dioxide, benzimidazole, thiadiazole, benzotriazole, benzoxazole, oxadiazole, triazole, tetrazole, isoindole, pyrrolopyridine, triazolopyridine and the dihydro and tetrahydro congeners thereof.

8 . A compound or salt according to claim 5 wherein R 1 is phenyl substituted with a substituent chosen from halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, acyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, carbonyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, benzenesulfonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, oxaalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxy, carboxyalkylthio, alkoxycarbonylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkylcarbonylamino, carboxamido, aminocarbonyloxy, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, cyano, acetoxy, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, (alkyl)(aryl)aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkoxy, alkyl(hydroxyalkyl)amino, heterocyclylalkoxy, mercapto, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylthio, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfonylamino, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfonyl, acylaminoalkyl, acylaminoalkoxy, acylamino, amidino, aryl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclylamino, hydroxyimino, alkoxyimino, oxaalkyl, aminosulfonyl, trityl, amidino, guanidino, ureido, —NHC(═O)NHalkyl, —NHC(═O)NH-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-NHC(═O)N(alkyl) 2 , heterocyclylalkylcarbonylamino, benzyloxyphenyl, benzyloxy, the residues of amino acids, amino acid amides, protected residues of aminoacids, protected residues of amino acid amides, N-methylated amino acids and N-methylated amino acid amides.

9 . A compound or salt according to claim 5 wherein R 1 is phenyl substituted with a substituent chosen from —CH 3 , —CH 2 CF 3 , —CF 3 , —CHO, —COOH, —CN, halogen, —OH, —OEt, —C(═O)NH 2 , —C(═O)NHEt, —C(═O)NMe 2 -COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)NH 2 , —CH(CH 3 )NHC(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)H, —CH 2 NHC(═O)CH 3 , —CH 2 C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)O—C 6 H 5 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)NHEt, —C(CH 3 ) 2 OH, —CH 2 NHC(═O)N(CH 3 ) 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)NHCH 3 , —CH 2 NH 2 , —CH(CH 3 )NH 2 , —C(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 , —CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 NHSO 2 CH 3 , —CH 2 C(═O)NHEt, —OCH 3 , —OC(═O)NH 2 , —OCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 , —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NH 2 , —NHC(═O)NHEt, —NHCH 3 , —NHEt, —NH(tBoc), —NHCH 2 COOH, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 CH 2 Cl, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHEt, —N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NH 2 , —NH(CH 3 )C(═O)NH 2 , —NHSO 2 CH 3 , —N(SO 2 CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)OCH 3 , —NHC(═O)OtBu, —NHC(═O)CH 3 , —SO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —CH 2 NHCHO, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 OH, —NHC(═O)OEt, —N(Et)C(═O)OEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH, —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH(tBoc),

10 . A compound or salt according to claim 6 wherein R 1 is a heterocycle substituted with a substituent chosen from halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, acyl, alkoxyalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, carbonyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, benzenesulfonyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, haloalkoxy, oxaalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylamino, alkoxycarbonylaminoalkyl, carboxyalkyl, carboxyalkoxy, carboxyalkylthio, carboxyalkylcarbonylamino, carboxamido, aminocarbonyloxy, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonylalkyl, cyano, acetoxy, nitro, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, aminoalkyl, (alkyl)(aryl)aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkyl, dialkylaminoalkoxy, alkyl(hydroxyalkyl)amino, heterocyclylalkoxy, mercapto, alkylthio, alkylsulfonyl, alkylsulfonylamino, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, arylthio, arylsulfonyl, arylsulfonylamino, arylsulfinyl, arylsulfonyl, acylaminoalkyl, acylaminoalkoxy, acylamino, amidino, aryl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryloxy, heterocyclylamino, hydroxyimino, alkoxyimino, oxaalkyl, aminosulfonyl, trityl, amidino, guanidino, ureido, —NHC(═O)NHalkyl, —NHC(═O)NH-heterocyclyl, -alkyl-NHC(═O)N(alkyl) 2 , heterocyclylalkylcarbonylamino, benzyloxyphenyl, benzyloxy, the residues of amino acids, amino acid amides, protected residues of aminoacids, protected residues of amino acid amides, N-methylated amino acids and N-methylated amino acid amides.

11 . A compound or salt according to claim 6 wherein R 1 is a heterocycle substituted with a substituent chosen from —CH 3 , —CH 2 CF 3 , —CF 3 , —CHO, —COOH, —CN, halogen, —OH, —OEt, —C(═O)NH 2 , —C(═O)NHEt, —C(═O)NMe 2 -COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)NH 2 , —CH(CH 3 )NHC(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)H, —CH 2 NHC(═O)CH 3 , —CH 2 C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)O—C 6 H 5 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)NHEt, —C(CH 3 ) 2 OH, —CH 2 NHC(═O)N(CH 3 ) 2 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)NHCH 3 , —CH 2 NH 2 , —CH(CH 3 )NH 2 , —C(CH 3 ) 2 NH 2 , —CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, —CH 2 NHSO 2 CH 3 , —CH 2 C(═O)NHEt, —OCH 3 , —OC(═O)NH 2 , —OCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 , —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NH 2 , —NHC(═O)NHEt, —NHCH 3 , —NHEt, —NH(tBoc), —NHCH 2 COOH, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 CH 2 Cl, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHEt, —N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NH 2 , —NH(CH 3 )C(═O)NH 2 , —NHSO 2 CH 3 , —N(SO 2 CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)OCH 3 , —NHC(═O)OtBu, —NHC(═O)CH 3 , —SO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —CH 2 NHCHO, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 OH, —NHC(═O)OEt, —N(Et)C(═O)OEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH, —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH(tBoc),

12 . A compound or salt of formula Ia according to claim 1 wherein

R 1a is chosen from

a substituted heterocycle of three or fewer rings;

a monocyclic heterocycle attached to a substituted monocyclic heterocycle; and

a substituted carbocycle of three or fewer rings

wherein substituents on the heterocycle or carbocycle are chosen from —COOH, —OH, —COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)C(═O)NH 2 , —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NHCH 2 COOH, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 COOH, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH and 5-tetrazolyl.

13 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 wherein R 2 is chosen from optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted monocyclic unsaturated heterocycle, unsubstituted bicyclic unsaturated heterocycle and fluoro-substituted bicyclic unsaturated heterocycle.

14 . A compound or salt according to claim 13 wherein R 2 is chosen from optionally substituted phenyl, indole, benzodioxole, benzoxadiazole, benzodioxan, benzimidazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, pyridine and pyridine N-oxide.

15 . A compound or salt according to claim 14 wherein R 2 is chosen from meta-substituted phenyl, indole, benzodioxole, 2,2-difluorobenzodioxole, benzooxadiazole, benzimidazole, 5-(pyridin-4-yl)[1,2,4]oxadiazole, 5-(pyridin-4-yl)[1,3,4]oxadiazole, benzodioxan, 4-chloropyrazole, 4-(pyridin-4-yl)pyrazole, 6-chloropyridine, 3-(trifluoromethyl)pyrazole, and pyridine N-oxide.

16 . A compound or salt according to claim 14 wherein R 2 is substituted phenyl:

wherein R 7 is chosen from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )oxaalkyl, carboxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl (—CONH 2 ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkylaminocarbonyl, acyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, amino, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, di[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]amino, mercapto, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonamido, acylamino, amidino, phenyl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and heteroaryloxy; and

R 8 and R 13 are chosen independently from H and F.

17 . A compound or salt according to claim 16 , wherein R 8 and R 13 are H and R 7 is chosen from hydrogen, fluoro, chloro, bromo, nitro, cyano, acetyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, methylthio, methanesulfinyl, methanesulfonyl, methansulfonamido, amino, methoxymethyl, hydroxyethyl, and morpholinyl.

18 . A compound or salt of formula Ib, Ic or Id according to claim 1 , wherein R 1 is chosen from optionally substituted phenyls; optionally substituted five membered heteroaryls selected from thiazoles, thiadiazoles, pyrazoles, oxadiazole, isoxazoles, triazoles, imidazoles, thiophenes, tetrazoles and oxazoles; optionally substituted six membered hereroaryls selected from pyridines, pyrimidines, pyridazinones, pyrimidinone, pyridinone, pyrazines and diazines; optionally substituted 5- and 6-membered non-aryl heterocyclics selected from tetrahydrothiophenes, piperazine, oxazolidinones, imidazolidinones, morpholines, piperidines, pyrrolidinones, pyrrolidinediones, pyrrolidines, piperidinones, piperidinediones and trioxa-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes; and optionally substituted fused bicycles selected from benzoxazolones, indoles, isoindolinediones, 2H-pyrrolopyridinediones, purines, indolinediones, triazolopyridinones, benzimidazoles, benzoxadiazoles, quinolines and quinolones; wherein the substituents are chosen independently from hydrogen, halogen, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, hydroxyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, carboxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl (—CONH 2 ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkylaminocarbonyl, cyano, carbonyl(oxo), acyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, nitro, amino, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, di[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]amino, mercapto, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, sulfoxide, sulfone, sulfonate, sulfonimide, acylamino, amidino, phenyl, benzyl, heteroaryl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryloxy, aminocarbonyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, carboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, formylamino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, carboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, —(CH 2 ) p —NR 12 CO—(CH 2 ) q —NR 9 R 10 , —NHSO 2 R 11 , —OCH 2 CH 2 NR 9 R 10 —NHSO 2 NR 9 R 10 , —SO 2 NR 9 R 10 , —(CH 2 )p-NHCOR 9 , OCONR 9 R 10 and NR 12 COOR 11 ;

R 3 is chosen from —CH 3 , —CH 2 CH 3 , —CF 3 , —CHF 2 and —CH 2 F;

R 5 is chosen from H, —F, —OH, —CH 3 , —OCH 3 , —CF 3 , —CN, —NH 2 and —C≡CH;

R 2 is

(a) phenyl and R 7 is chosen from H, halogen, nitro, acetyl, hydroxyethyl, —NH 2 , —SCH 3 , methoxycarbonyl, —SOCH 3 , —SO 2 CH 3 , —OCH 3 , —OCF 3 , —CN, —CF 3 , —CH 2 OCH 3 ; or

(b) benzoxadiazole, benzodioxole, 2,2-difluorobenzodioxole, benzoxadiazole, benzodioxan, benzimidazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, pyridine and pyridine N-oxide;

R 9 is chosen from H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

R 10 is H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or taken together, or

R 9 and R 10 together form a heterocycle optionally substituted with (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

p is 0 or 1,

q is 0, 1 or 2,

R 11 is linear (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl,

R 12 is H or (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; or

two adjacent substituents together form an optionally substituted fused heterocyclic ring.

19 . A compound or salt of formula Ia according to claim 1 , wherein R 1a is chosen from substituted phenyl; substituted five membered heteroaryls selected from thiazoles, thiadiazoles, pyrazoles, oxadiazole, isoxazoles, triazoles, imidazoles, thiophenes, tetrazoles and oxazoles; substituted six membered heteroaryls selected from pyridines, pyrimidines, pyridazinones, pyrimidinone, pyridinone, pyrazines and diazines; substituted 5- and 6-membered non-aryl heterocyclics selected from tetrahydrothiophenes, piperazine, oxazolidinones, imidazolidinones, morpholines, piperidines, pyrrolidinones, pyrrolidinediones, pyrrolidines, piperidinones, piperidinediones and trioxa-bicyclo[2.2.2]octanes; substituted fused bicycles selected from benzoxazolones, indoles, isoindolinediones, 2H-pyrrolopyridinediones, purines, indolinediones, triazolopyridinones, benzimidazoles, benzoxadiazoles, quinolines and quinolones and substituted heterocyclylheterocycles selected from azetidinylpyrimidines, pyrrolidinylpyrimidines, piperidinylpyrimidines, azetidinylpyridines, pyrrolidinylpyridines and piperidinylpyridines;

wherein the substituents are chosen independently from —COOH, —OH, —COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)C(═O)NH 2 , —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NHCH 2 COOH, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 COOH, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH and 5-tetrazolyl;

R 3 is chosen from —CH 3 , —CH 2 CH 3 , —CF 3 , —CHF 2 and —CH 2 F;

R 5 is chosen from H, —F, —OH, —CH 3 , —OCH 3 , —CF 3 , —CN, —NH 2 and —C≡CH;

R 2 is

(a) phenyl and R 7 is chosen from H, halogen, nitro, acetyl, hydroxyethyl, —NH 2 , —SCH 3 , methoxycarbonyl, —SOCH 3 , —SO 2 CH 3 , —OCH 3 , —OCF 3 , —CN, —CF 3 , —CH 2 OCH 3 ; or

(b) benzoxadiazole, benzodioxole, 2,2-difluorobenzodioxole, benzoxadiazole, benzodioxan, benzimidazole, oxadiazole, pyrazole, pyridine and pyridine N-oxide;

R 9 is chosen from H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, carboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarboxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

R 10 is H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, or taken together, or

R 9 and R 10 together form a heterocycle optionally substituted with (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

p is 0 or 1,

q is 0, 1 or 2,

R 11 is linear (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl,

R 12 is H or (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; or two adjacent substituents together form an optionally substituted fused heterocyclic ring.

20 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 of formula

wherein

R 1b is phenyl, five-membered heteroaryl, six-membered heteroaryl, 4-7 membered non-aryl heterocycle or fused bicycle;

R 14 is chosen from —COOH, —OH, —COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —CH 2 NHC(═O)C(═O)NH 2 , —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NHCH 2 COOH, —N(CH 3 )CH 2 COOH, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH, 5-tetrazolyl and monocyclic heterocycle substituted with any of the foregoing;

R 27 is chosen from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )oxaalkyl, carboxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl (—CONH 2 ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkylaminocarbonyl, acyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, amino, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, di[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]amino, mercapto, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonamido, acylamino, amidino, phenyl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and heteroaryloxy;

R 28 is chosen from H and F, or

R 27 together with R 28 forms a five-membered ring.

21 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 of formula

wherein

R 1c is phenyl, five-membered heteroaryl, six-membered heteroaryl, 4-7 membered non-aryl heterocycle or fused bicycle;

R 14 is chosen from H, —CH 2 NHC(═O)NH 2 , —NHC(═O)NH 2 , —NHC(═O)NHEt, —CH 3 , —CH 2 CF 3 , —CH 2 NHC(═O)CH 3 , —NHCH 3 , —NHEt, —NH(tBoc), —CHO, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 CH 2 Cl, —NHSO 2 NH 2 , —NHEt, —N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NH 2 , —COOH, —C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 C(═O)NH 2 , —CH 2 COOH, —CH 2 COOEt, —CN, —OCH 3 , —OC(═O)NH 2 , —NH(CH 3 )C(═O)NH 2 , halogen, —CH 2 NHC(═O)OEt, —NHSO 2 CH 3 , —N(SO 2 CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)OCH 3 , —OH, —CH 2 NHC(═O)N(CH 3 ) 2 , —CH 2 NH 2 , —CH 2 OH, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, —SO 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOH, —CH 2 NHCHO, —NHC(═O)NHCH 2 COOEt, —COOCH 3 , —COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOEt, —OCH(CH 3 )COOH, —SCH 2 COOH, —NH(Et)C(═O)OEt, —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 COOH, —CH 2 NHSO 2 CH 3 , —OEt, —NHC(═O)CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —NHC(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH, —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 CH 2 NH 2 , —NHC(═O)CH 2 NH(tBoc), —OCH 2 CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , —OCH 2 CH 2 OCH 3 , 3′-nitro-6-methoxybiphenyl-3-ylmethyl, tetrahydroimidazol-2-on-1-yl, 3-methyltetrahydroimidazol-2-one-1-yl, pyrazol-1-yl,

R 15 is chosen from H, NO 2 , OH, NH 2 , and —NHSO 2 NH 2 ; or

R 15 together with R 14 forms methylene dioxy;

R 27 is chosen from hydrogen, halogen, nitro, cyano, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, hydroxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, (C 1 -C 6 )oxaalkyl, carboxy, (C 1 -C 6 )alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl (—CONH 2 ), (C 1 -C 6 )alkylaminocarbonyl, acyl, hydroxy(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkoxy, amino(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, amino, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylamino, di[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]amino, mercapto, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylthio, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfinyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonyl, (C 1 -C 6 )alkylsulfonamido, acylamino, amidino, phenyl, benzyl, heterocyclyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, and heteroaryloxy;

R 28 is chosen from H and F, or

R 27 together with R 28 forms a five-membered ring.

22 . A compound or salt according to claim 20 wherein R 27 and R 28 represent a fused heterocycle at 3- and 4-positions so that the residue formed from R 27 and R 28 together with the phenyl to which they are attached is chosen from:

23 . A compound or salt according to claim 20 wherein R 27 is chosen from halogen, nitro, acetyl, hydroxyethyl, amino, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxycarbonyl, trifluoromethoxy, cyano and 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, or taken together R 7 and R 8 are methylenedioxy or difluoromethylenedioxy.

24 . A compound or salt according to claim 23 wherein R 1b or R 1c is chosen from a benzene ring, a triazole, a pyridine or pyridine-N-oxide, a pyrazole, a tetrahydrothiophene, an imidazole, a pyrimidine, a thiadiazole, and an imidazopyridine.

25 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 wherein R 5 is fluoro, H, CN or OH.

26 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 wherein R 3 is methyl or fluoromethyl.

27 . A compound or salt according to claim 1 of formula:

wherein

R 3a is methyl, fluorinated methyl or HSO 3 ;

Y is CH, CF or N→O;

R 27a is chosen from halogen, cyano, acetyl, methylthio, nitro and trifluoromethyl; and

R 16 is chosen from —NR 17 C(═O)NR 18 R 19 and

wherein

is a 4-7 membered ring heterocycle attached through its nitrogen;

R 17 , and R 18 are independently chosen from H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl and halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl;

R 19 is chosen from H, (C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, halo(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl, —[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]COOH, and —[(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl]COO(C 1 -C 6 )alkyl; and

R 20 is chosen from a carboxylic acid, a carboxamide, a carboxylic ester, a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol and a primary, secondary or tertiary amine.

28 . A salt of a compound of claim 1 wherein the salt is a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.

29 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1 .

30 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising

(a) a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier;

(b) a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt according to claim 1 ; and

(c) a second agent chosen from cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, calpain inhibitors and antioxidants.

31 . A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 30 wherein said second agent is chosen from tacrine, huperzine, donepezil, lanicemine, remacemide, neramexane, memantine, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10.

32 . A method for the treatment or prophylaxis of a disease or condition mediated by peripheral phosphodiesterase-4 comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 .

33 . A method according to claim 32 wherein said disease or condition is chosen from stroke, myocardial infarct, and cardiovascular inflammatory conditions.

34 . A method according to claim 32 wherein said disease or condition is cancer.

35 . A method according to claim 32 wherein said disease or condition is chosen from asthma and COPD.

36 . A method for treating or preventing bone loss comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 .

37 . A method for treating bladder inflammation, bladder overactivity and pain arising from bladder inflammation comprising administering to a mammal a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to claim 1 .

38 . A compound or salt according to claim 21 wherein R 27 and R 28 represent a fused heterocycle at 3- and 4-positions so that the residue formed from R 27 and R 28 together with the phenyl to which they are attached is chosen from:

39 . A compound or salt according to claim 21 wherein R 27 is chosen from halogen, nitro, acetyl, hydroxyethyl, amino, methylthio, trifluoromethyl, methoxymethyl, methoxycarbonyl, trifluoromethoxy, cyano and 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, or taken together R 7 and R 8 are methylenedioxy or difluoromethylenedioxy.

40 . A compound or salt according to claim 39 wherein R 1b or R 1c is chosen from a benzene ring, a triazole, a pyridine or pyridine-N-oxide, a pyrazole, a tetrahydrothiophene, an imidazole, a pyrimidine, a thiadiazole, and an imidazopyridine.