Several α-hydroxyamides with (2,6-dialkoxyphenoxy)methyl substituents have been prepared and their activities as antagonists of the M3 muscarinic receptor in guinea pig ileum have been evaluated. N-{1-[(Phenyl)methyl]piperidin-4-yl}-2-{2-[(2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-methyl]phenyl}-2-hydroxypropanamide and N-(1-[{6-amino-4-[(1-propylpiperidin-4-yl)methyl]pyridin-2-yl}methyl]piperidin-4-yl)-2-cyclopentyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetamide were the most potent compounds prepared, the micromolar potency of the latter indicating that it may be worth further investigation.