Novel butyric acid derivatives of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein X, X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and X.sub.3 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, lower alkoxy of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, lower alkylthio of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, trifluoromethyl, OH and dilower alkylamino of 1 to 5 carbon atoms for each alkyl, R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, o-carboxyphenyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl and -CH.sub.2 -CH - CH.sub.2 ##EQU1## wherein P and Q are individually lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, Z and X.sub.4 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and lower alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --OH and the dotted line indicates the optional presence of a double bond when Y is hydrogen and when R is hydrogen or o-carboxyphenyl, the salts thereof with a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable mineral or organic base, which compounds have anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity and are substantially devoid of ulcerigenic activity and their preparation and novel intermediates formed therein.