2-(3,4-Dimethoxybenzoyl)pyridine was synthesised and evaluated as potentially showing more antiinflammatory activity against carrageenan-induced edema in rat paws than 2-benzoylpyridine (B209570) in an effort to increase the efficacy of the latter. It was used as a reagent in the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyl-(2-piperidyl)carbinols which are cyclic adrenaline derivatives, the most active of which may be potential powerful bronchodilators.