The instantly claimed invention is a process for preparing novel 7-thioether derivatives of 2-aryl, 3 aryl, and 2,3-diary-2,5,7,7-tetra-hydro-3H-pyrrolo [1,2-a] imidazole and 8-thio-ether derivatives of 2-aryl, 3-aryl, and 2,3-diaryl-2,3,5,7,7,8-hexahydro-imidazo [1,2-a]-pyridine which comprises (a) contacting the corresponding amidine with about one molar equivalent of R.sub.1 SSR.sub.1 in the presence of about two molar equivalents of base and at a temperature of -78.degree. C. to about 0.degree. C. (b) contacting the corresponding amidine compound with about two molar equivalents of R,SSR, in the presence of about two molar equivalents of a base and at a temperature of from about -78.degree. C. to about 23.degree. C., said compounds being useful as immunomodulators.

Disclosed are compounds of formula I ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, nitro, halogen, free, etherified or esterified hydroxy, free, etherified, oxidized etherified or esterified mercapto, unsubstituted, mono- or disubstituted amino, ammonio, free or functionally modified sulfo, free or functionally modified formyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -acyl, cyano, free or functionally modified carboxy; and R.sub.2 represents hydrogen, lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, halogen; free, etherified or esterified hydroxy; free, etherified, oxidized etherified or esterified mercapto; free or functionally modified carboxy, or acyl; the 7,8-dihydro derivatives thereof; and compounds of the formula I* ##STR2## wherein n denotes 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are as defined above under formula I and salts thereof; e.g. as aromatase inhibitors; pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds; the use of these compounds for the treatment of conditions responsive to e.g. aromatase inhibition in mammals; processes and intermediates for preparing these compounds.

A condensed heterocyclic compound of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein Q is a condensed heterocyclic group having a nitrogen atom in the bridgehead which is unsubstituted or substituted, X is a hydrogen atom or a group attached through C, O, S or N, and Y is an electron attractive group, or its salt which is useful as agricultural chemical.

A method of inhibiting the 5-lipoxygenase pathway in an animal in need thereof which comprises administering an effective, 5-lipoxygenase pathway inhibiting amount of a diaryl-substituted imidazole fused to a thiazole pyrrolidine, thiazide or piperidine ring to such animal.

This invention provides for certain phenyl-substituted imidazo compounds, their pharmaceutical formulations, and their use as positive inotropic agents and vasodilators.