Substituted benzophenones of the formula ##STR1## in which Ph represents unsubstituted or substituted phenyl and R represents free, esterified or amidated carboxy, have anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic properties and can be used as active ingredients in medicaments. They are manufactured, for example, as follows:a compound or a mixture of compounds of the formula ##STR2## in which X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 together represent a group of the formula --C(.dbd.O)--O that is bonded via the carbonyl group to the radical Ph and X.sub.3 represents hydrogen, or one of the radicals X.sub.1 and X.sub.3 represents a group of the formula --C(.dbd.O)--Z, the other represents hydrogen and X.sub.2 represents a group R'O-- in which R' represents hydrogen or a hydroxy-protecting group, is subjected to acid treatment and the primary product is decomposed solvolytically.