Several short-acting &adrenergic receptor blocking agents have been prepared by incorporating ester functions into the aryl portion of certain (ary1oxy) propanolamine systems. In particular, methyl 3-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(isopropyl-amino) propoxy] phenyl] propionate hydrochloride (ASL-8052) was found to be a moderately potent, cardioselective compound with a short duration of action when determined in in vivo canine models.