7-azaindoles and their use as therapeutic agents

The invention relates to substituted 7-azaindoles, processes for their preparation, to pharmaceutical preparations containing these compounds, and the pharmaceutical use of these compounds which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 are, as active ingredients for the treatment of diseases associated with an inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 activity, particularly in immune-competent cells (eg., macrophages and lymphocytes) can be influenced by the novel compounds.