BENZYLALKOHOLDERIVATE UND VERFAHREN ZU DEREN HERSTELLUNG

A benzylalcohol derivative of the formula: [I] wherein R is hydroxy, benzyloxy, halogen or alkoxy having one to four carbon atoms, and Ring A is monomethoxyphenyl, dimethoxyphenyl, trimethoxyphenyl or 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof is prepared by reducing a compound of the formula: wherein R' is benzyloxy, halogen or alkoxy having one to four carbon atoms, and Ring A is the same as defined above, to give a compound of the formula: [I'] wherein R' and Ring A are the same as defined above, and when R' is benzyloxy, if required, further subjecting the compound [I'] to catalytic hydrogenation to give a compound of the formula: [I''] wherein Ring A is the same as defined above. The benzylalcohol derivative [I] is useful as an anti-diabetic agent.