Abstract: A process for the preparation of 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-benzylpiperidino)-1-propanol (i.e. ifenprodil) and acid-addition salts thereof, characterized by brominating 4'-hydroxypropiophenone in a single or mixed solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol and a saturated aliphatic ether, removing hydrogen bromide formed in the course of the bromination, adding 4-benzylpyridine to the reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture under reflux in a single or mixed solvent selected from the group consisting of methanol and ethanol, and then subjecting the resultant reaction mixture to catalytic reduction to form 1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-benzylpiperidino)-1-propanol hydrobromide in the reaction mixture. The end product (i.e.