CARBOXY-(PHENYL OR TOLYL)-SULPHOMIUM SALTS AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS

Novel compounds of formula in which R1 = (C8-24) alkyl, R2 = (C1-6) or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, R3 = H, halogen, (C1-3) alkyl or alkoxy, R4 = H or (C1-6) alkyl, n = 0 or 1, and Z= anion forming a pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salt of the corresponding cation, provided that R2 is alkyl when R4 is H, are obtained by alkylation of corresponding alkylthio- or phenylthio-phenyl compounds with alkyl halides in the presence of a metal salt or with a trialkyloxonium tetrafluoroborate after which the resulting anion can be replaced by known anion exchange methods. The compounds are active against obesity and can be incorporated into pharmaceutical compositions.