The syntheses of cis-and trans-2-aminocyclohexanols and of cis-and trans-2-ethylaminocyclohexanols are described. The cis isomers were prepared by treatment of the corresponding trarzs-2-acetamidocyclohexanols with thionyl chloride followed by hydrolysis of the resulting intermediate oxazolines. The 2-aminocyclohexanols were converted to 2'-(cis-and trans-2"-hydroxycyclohexyl)aminoethyl I-phenylcyclopentanecarboxylate hydrochlorides (1 and 2, R = H) by treatment with 2'-bromoethyl I-phenylcyclopentanecarboxylate, but attempts to convert the 2-ethylaminocyclohexanols to 1 and 2 (R = C,H,) by a similar reaction were unsuccessful. The anticholinesterase activities of several of the compounds are discussed, as are the potencies of 1 and 2 (R = H) in protecting nice and rats from sarin poisoning.