This invention relates to a phenylene derivative represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof and also to a medicine containing it as an effective ingredient. ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents H or halogen; A represents --CH.dbd.CH--, --CH.dbd.N--, --N(R.sup.2)--, --O-- or --S--; W represents --CH.dbd.CH-- or --CH.sub.2 O--; X represents --CH.sub.2 O--, --CH.sub.2 S--, --CH.sub.2 N(R.sup.3)--, --CH.dbd.N--, --COO-- or --CONH--; Y represents ##STR2## B.sup.1 represents --C(R.sup.7)(R.sup.8)(CH.sub.2).sub.l --, --S(O).sub.m (CH.sub.2).sub.n -- or --CH.dbd.C(R.sup.9)--; B.sup.2 represents --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --; Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 each represents O or S; etc. The phenylene derivative or salt thereof has antileukotrienic action and antihistaminic action and is useful as a medicine such as an asthma preventive or curative.