3[(3-Alkylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1,2-propanediols

This invention concerns novel 3-[(3-alkylamino-2-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl]-1,2-propanediols of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of straight or branched-chain lower alkyls (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6) and cycloalkyls (C.sub.1 -C.sub.6); R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may not be the same; and R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyls (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) and lower alkoxys (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4); and the acid addition salts thereof. These novel compounds are useful as antiarrhythmic agents and .beta.-andrenergic blockers in mammals. This invention also concerns novel compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, with the proviso that R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may not be the same; R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of lower alkyls (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4) and lower alkoxys (C.sub.1 -C.sub.4); and X is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3## and --CHOH--CH.sub.2 --Z (or a mixture of these compounds wherein X has both meanings stated above) where Z may be halogen, alkoxy sulfonyl and aryloxysulfonyl; and the acid-addition salts thereof. These compounds are useful as intermediates for the preparation of the active antiarrhythmic and .beta.-andrenergic blocking compounds described above. This invention also concerns a process for preparing said antiarrhythmic and .beta.-andrenergic blocking compounds from said intermediates.