Compounds containing phenyl linked to aryl or heteroaryl by an aliphatic- or heteroatom-containing linking group

A method for treating an inflammatory disease capable of being modulated by inhibiting production of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, said method comprising administering to a patient suffering from said disease an effective amount of a compound of formula I ##STR37## wherein R.sup.1 is optionally substituted lower alkyl;

• R.sup.2 is optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, optionally substituted or oxidized cyclothioalkyl or optionally substituted or oxidized cyclothioalkenyl;
• R.sup.3 is optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted pyridyl;
• Z, Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are independently oxygen or sulfur;
• and
• Z.sup.3 is --CZNH--,
• or an N-oxide thereof, a hydrate thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.