The novel optically pure compounds Na.sup.+, Mg.sup.2+, Li.sup.+, K.sup.+, Ca.sup.2+ and N.sup.+ (R).sub.4 salts of (+)-5-methoxy-2-��(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl!sulfinyl!-1H-benzimidazole or (-)-5-methoxy-2-��(4-methoxy-3,5-dimethyl-2-pyridinyl)methyl!sulfinyl!-1H-benzimidazole, where R is an alkyl with 1-4 carbon atoms, processes for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical preparations containing the compounds as active ingredients, as well as the use of the compounds in pharmaceutical preparations and intermediates obtained by preparing the compounds.