Abstract Compounds of the formula VI tr wherein R and R1 are hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, or together is piperidino, pyrrolidino or morpholino; wherein R2 is hydrogen, chlorine or fluorine; and wherein R3 is hydrogen or fluorine, are prepared by reducing a 2-(3,5-disubstituted-4H1,2,4-triazol-4-yl) benzophenone to obtain the corresponding 2(3,5-disubstituted-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzhydrol or by reducing with borane a 4-(2-benzoylphenyl)-5-Substituted-4H1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxaldehyde 3-(0-acyloxime) (obtained by acylating the corresponding oxime to give the corresponding 2-(3(aminomethyl)-5-substituted-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-yl)benzhydrol. The novel compounds of formula VI and the pharmacologically acceptable acid addition salts thereof are active sedatives.