Ferroelectric (chiral) smectic liquid crystal compounds having an achiral core and chiral tail units derived from (2,3)-epoxyalkyloxiranemethanols possess a high ferroelectric polarization density. These newly made compounds exhibit high speed, multistate electro-optic switching properties which make then ideally suited to certain electro-optic display device applications.

This medicinal composition for the treatment and prevention of the symptoms of heart failure contains, by way of active principle, at least one compound chosen from 2-amino-1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanol (methoxamine) and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and it is presented in a form which can be administered by inhalation (aerosol or nebulizate). It was demonstrated, in particular, that the administration of methoxamine-HCl by inhalation, at a unit dosage of 10 mg, in the form of a 2% (w/v) solution in physiological saline, decreases airways resistance in subjects suffering from decompensated left ventricular failure, and increases the exertion tolerance of patients suffering from compensated left vetricular failure, whether the latter is of ischemic origin or otherwise.

Novel 1-aryloxy-4-amino-2-butanols of the formula wherein Ar is 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, indene-4(or 5-)yl, 3-(or 5-)chloro-2-pyridyl, phenyl, monosubstituted phenyl or di-substituted phenyl, R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, phenyl, phenylalkyl, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-propyl, adamantyl or lower-cycloalkyl, R.sup.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the adjacent nitrogen from a heterocyclic residue and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof having local anesthetic, beta-adrenergic blocking, antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic properties are disclosed. The compounds are prepared by reacting novel 1-aryloxy-4-chloro-2-butanols with amines. Methods for the preparation of the novel 1-aryloxy-4-chloro-2-butanol intermediates are also disclosed.

A method for the treatment of glaucoma or lowering intraocular pressure in a mammal, involving topically administering to the eye of such mammal a selectively metabolized beta-blocking compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R may be lower alkyl, lower alkynyl aryl, or aralkyl; A may be a direct bond, lower alkylenyl, or lower alkenyl; x may be an integer from 1 to 3; Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; R.sub.1 may be lower alkyl, lower hydroxy alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or aralkyl; and pharmaceutically accepted salts thereof. Because of a relatively long duration of action of such compounds in ocular fluids and a relatively short duration of action in the systemic circulation, such compounds are useful for the treatment of excessive intraocular pressure without substantial systemic side effects.

A method for the treatment of glaucoma or lowering intraocular pressure in a mammal, involving topically administering to the eye of such mammal a selectively metabolized beta-blocking compound of the formula ##STR1## wherein R may be lower alkyl, lower alkynyl aryl, or aralkyl; A may be a direct bond, lower alkylenyl, or lower alkenyl; x may be an integer from 1 to 3; Ar may be substituted or unsubstituted aromatic; R.sub.1 may be lower alkyl, lower hydroxy alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, or aralkyl; and pharmaceutically accepted salts thereof. Because of a relatively long duration of action of such compounds in ocular fluids and a relatively short duration of action in the systemic circulation, such compounds are useful for the treatment of excessive intraocular pressure without substantial systemic side effects.