Phenylbutanol derivatives of the formula Z--C(CH.sub.3) (OH)--CH.sub.2 --Y wherein Z is 4-biphenyl or 4-phenoxyphenyl wherein the phenoxy group is unsubstituted or substituted by F, Cl or Br and Y is COOR.sup.2 or CH.sub.2 OR.sup.3 wherein R.sup.2 is H or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms and R.sup.3 is H or alkanoyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and their physiologically acceptable salts, possess anti-inflammatory activity and are produced by (a) treating with a solvolyzing agent a compound of the formula Z--C(CH.sub.3) (OH)--CH.sub.2 --W or Z--CX(CH.sub.3)--CH.sub.2 --Y wherein W is a functionally modified carboxy or methylol group different from Y and X is Cl, Br or I or a functionally modified hydroxyl group; or (b) reducing a compound otherwise corresponding to a desired final product but having instead of one of the hydrogen atoms a group which can be reduced or replaced by a hydrogen atom; or (c) oxidizing a compound otherwise corresponding to a desired final product but lacking the tertiary hydroxyl group; or (d) converting a compound otherwise corresponding to a desired final product wherein Z is a 4-phenoxyphenyl group but having instead a 4--OH--, Cl--, Br-- or I-substituted phenyl group into a desired final product; or (e) diazotizing a compound otherwise corresponding to a desired final product wherein Z is a halogen-substituted 4-phenoxyphenyl group but having an --NH.sub.2 -substituted phenoxy group and reacting the resulting diazonium salt with a halogenating agent.