Soft anticholinergic esters of the formulas: ##STR00001## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are both phenyl or one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is phenyl and the other is cyclopentyl; R is C.sub.1-C.sub.8 alkyl, straight or branched chain; and X.sup.- is an anion with a single negative charge; and wherein each asterisk marks a chiral center; said compound having the R, S or RS stereoisomeric configuration at each chiral center unless specified otherwise, or being a mixture thereof.