1-[(3- or 4-Benzoylphenyl)-lower-alkyl]-[(CH.sub.2).sub.n -N.dbd.B]-substituted-piperidines, useful as anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic, anti-cholinergic, bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory agents, are prepared by alkylation of an appropriate substituted piperidine with a (3- or 4-benzoylphenyl)-lower-alkyl halide or tosylate; by reaction of a 1-[2-(3- or 4-lithiophenyl)-lower-alkyl]-.differential.(CH.sub.2).sub.n --N.dbd.]-substituted-piperidine with benzonitrile and hydrolysis of the resulting benzimidoyl compound; or by reduction of a 1-[.alpha.-(3- or 4-benzoylphenyl)-lower-alkanoyl]-[(CH.sub.2).sub.n --N.dbd.B]-substituted-piperidine.