| abstract |
The invention concerns a diaryl ether heterocycle of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof,n wherein Ar¹ is optionally substituted phenyl or naphthyl; nX¹ is oxy, thio, sulphinyl or sulphonyl; nAr² is optionally substituted phenylene, or a 6-membered heterocyclene moiety containing up to three nitrogen atoms; nR¹ is (1-6C)alkyl, (3-6C)alkenyl, (3-6C)alkynyl, cyano-(1-4C)alkyl or (2-4C)alkanoyl, or optionally substituted benzoyl; and nR² and R³ together form a group of the formula -A²-X²-A³- wherein each of A² and A³ is (1-4C)alkylene and X² is oxy, thio, sulphinyl, sulphonyl or imino. n The invention also concerns processes for the manufacture of a diaryl ether heterocycle of the formula I, or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions containing said heterocycle. The compounds of the invention are inhibitors of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase. |