Pharmacologically active R(-)3-quinuclidinol derivatives of the following formula are described (I) wherein R represents a linear or branched lower alkyl group, a cycloalkyl C1-2alkyl or an aralkyl group, or is absent; X- represents the anion of an organic or inorganic acid, or, when R is absent, is itself absent; R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched lower alkyl group or an acyl group of the type R2CO, in which R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched lower alkyl group; A represents a cycloalkyl group, an aromatic ring or a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring; Y and Z may each be present or absent; when they are both present, they each represent oxygen; when only one of them is present, it is represented by oxygen or sulphur; n is 1, 2 or 3; A and the 3-quinuclidinol ester groups are inserted simultaneously on the same carbon atom of the ring to give rise to geminal substitution. The compounds are muscarinic receptor blocking agents useful for the treatment of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract disorders. The process for the preparation of the compounds of formula (I) as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them are also described.
R(-)3-QUINUCLIDINOL DERIVATIVES