The invention comprises compounds of the general formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/1>; wherein R represents a phenyl or thienyl group which is unsubstituted or is substituted by one or more halogen atoms, lower (1-6 C) alkyl or alkoxy groups, or phenoxy groups, R1 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, R2 and R3 each represent a lower alkyl group or jointly form with N a mononuclear heterocyclic group, n is 2, 3 or 4, and the benzene ring may be additionally substituted by a lower alkoxy group), and the preparation thereof by (a) reacting a phenyl alkyl halide of the formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/2>; (wherein Y represents a halogen atom and the benzene nucleus may be additionally substituted by a lower alkoxy group) with a benzyl or thenyl halide of the formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/3>; to form a compound of the formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/4>; and reacting this with an amine HNR2R3; or (b) (when R1 is hydrogen) chloromethylating a phenylalkyl chloride of the formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/5>; (wherein the benzene nucleus may be additionally substituted by a lower alkoxy group) to form a dichloride of the formula: <;FORM:0788440/IV (b)/6>; and reacting this with a compound RH and the product with an amine HNR2R3. The first step of method (a), in which Y is preferably chlorine, and the second step of method (b) may be carried out in the presence of a catalyst selected from iron, aluminium and zinc compounds (e.g. ferric chloride, aluminium chloride, zinc chloride or, in the former case, ferric oxide). Examples illustrate the two processes as applied to the preparation of (1)-(4) N - (p - benzyl - and p - 4 - chlorobenzyl - phenylpropyl) - piperidine and - morpholine; (5) and (6) N - [p - (4-chlorobenzyl) - phenylethyl] - piperidine and -morpholine; (7) and (8) N - [p - (a - phenylethyl) - phenylethyl] - piperidine; (9) and (10) N - [p - methoxy - m - (5 - chlorothenyl) - g -phenylisobutyl] - piperidine and - morpholine; (11)-(14) N - [p - 4 - methoxy -, 3 - methoxy-4 - chloro -, 4 - butoxy - 3 - methyl - and 4-phenoxy - benzyl) - phenylpropyl] - morpholine; (15) and (23) N - (p - thenylphenylpropyl) - morpholine; (16) and (17) N - [p - (5 chlorothenyl) - phenylpropyl] - piperidine and -morpholine; (1) N - [p - (4 - methoxybenzyl)-phenylethyl] - morpholine; (19) and (20) N-(p - thenylphenylethyl) - morpholine - and -piperidine; (21) and (22) N-[p-3 : 4-dimethoxy- and 2 : 3 : 4 - trimethyl - benzyl) - phenylpropyl] - morpholine; (24) N - [p - (4 - fluorobenzyl) - phenylpropyl] - piperidine; (25) N - (p-benzylphenylpropyl) - piperidine; (26) N - [p-(4 - methoxybenzyl) - phenylpropyl] - dipropylamine; (27) N - [p - (4 - methoxy - 3 - methylbenzyl) - phenylpropyl] - diethylamine. The products are useful as local anaesthetics.;FORM:0788440/IV>;FORM:0788440/IV>;FORM:0788440/IV>;FORM:0788440/IV>;FORM:0788440/IV>;FORM:0788440/IV>