The invention relates to substituted 7-azaindoles, process for their preparation, pharmaceutical preparations which comprise these compounds, and the pharmaceutical use of these compounds, which are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4, as active ingredients for the treatment of disorders which can be influenced by inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 activity in particular in immunocompetent cells (e.g. macrophages and lymphocytes) by the compounds of the invention.本發明係關於經取代之7-氮雜吲哚類、彼等之製備方法、含有這些化合物之藥學製劑、及這些化合物之藥學用途,彼等係磷酸二酯酶4之抑制劑,經藉由本發明之化合物抑制磷酸二酯酶4活性,特別是在免疫活性細胞(如巨噬細胞及淋巴細胞)中,將可使彼等作為治療受影響之疾病的活性成份。