This invention is directed to a [di(ether or thioether)heteroaryl or fluoro substituted aryl] compound or an N-oxide thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which is useful for inhibiting the production or physiological effects of TNF in the treatment of a patient suffering from a disease state associated with a physiologically detrimental excess of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Compounds within the scope of the present invention also inhibit cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, and are useful in treating a disease state associated with pathological conditions that are modulated by inhibiting cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, such disease states including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, in particular type IV cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. The present invention is therefore directed to their pharmacological use for inhibiting TNF and/or cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, pharmacological compositions comprising the compounds and methods for their preparation.