Method for treatment of neuropathic pain

A method therapeutic treatment of neuropathic pain in a mammal, comprising administering to said mammal an effective amount of a compound having the formula:

• wherein X is hydroxyl, phosphate, phosphonate, or alpha-substituted phosphonate;
• R1 is hydrogen, halo, tri-fluoromethyl, (C1-C10) alkyl, (C1-C10) alkyl substituted with halo, hydroxy-, (C1-C10) alkoxy, or cyano;
• and
• R2 is (C1-C20)alkyl, cycloalkyl substituted alkyl, (C2-C20)alkenyl, (C2-C20)alkynyl, aryl, alkyl substituted aryl, arylalkyl or aryl substituted arylalkyl;
• wherein one or more of the carbon atoms in the R2 groups can be independently replaced with non-peroxide oxygen, sulfur or NR8;
• wherein R8 is hydrogen, or an (C1-C10) alkyl group;
• wherein the alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl groups in R2 are optionally substituted with oxo;
• n is 2;
• and or
• a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.