This invention is directed to novel local anesthetic compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, methods of use and methods of preparing these compounds. In one embodiment, the compounds are of the following formula: wherein: R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, halo, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, amino, monosubstituted or disubstituted amino, carboxy, and alkoxycarbonyl; R5 and R6 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl; R7 is alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycle, or substituted heterocycle; R8 and R9 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl and NRaRb-where Ra and Rb are alkyl; and Ar is selected from the group consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocycle, substituted heterocycle, cycloalkyl and substituted cycloalkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds find use as local anesthetics.