A neuromuscular blocking agent of formula wherein each of R 1 and R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, and R 1 and R 2 can be disposed in a cis or a trans configuration on the two double-bonded carbon atoms to which R 1 and R 2 are respectively bonded; T is selected from the group consisting of CH 2 and CH 3, wherein if T is CH 3, the phenyl group with the X 1 - X 5 substituents is not present; B is selected from the group consisting of CH 2, O, NR, and a direct single bond, wherein R is H, (C 1-6)alkyl, or (C 1-6)acyl; n1 and n2 are each independently equal to 0, 1, 2, or 3; each of X 1, X 2, X 3, X 4, and X 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent X 1, X 2, X 3, X 4, or X 5, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; each of Y 1, Y 2, Y 3, Y 4, and Y 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent Y 1, Y 2, Y 3, Y 4, or Y 5 together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; each of Z 1, Z 2, Z 3, and Z 4, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent Z 1, Z 2, Z 3, or Z 4, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; W is selected from the group consisting of methyl and a benzyl group of formula: wherein each of A 1, A 2 A 3, A 4, and A 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen or methoxy, or any two adjacent A 1, A 2 A 3, A 4, or A 5, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group, and a wavy line indicates a point of bonding; and, wherein each Q Θ is an independently selected pharmaceutically acceptable anion. wherein each of R 1 and R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and halogen, and R 1 and R 2 can be disposed in a cis or a trans configuration on the two double-bonded carbon atoms to which R 1 and R 2 are respectively bonded; T is selected from the group consisting of CH 2 and CH 3, wherein if T is CH 3, the phenyl group with the X 1 - X 5 substituents is not present; B is selected from the group consisting of CH 2, O, NR, and a direct single bond, wherein R is H, (C 1-6)alkyl, or (C 1-6)acyl; n1 and n2 are each independently equal to 0, 1, 2, or 3; each of X 1, X 2, X 3, X 4, and X 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent X 1, X 2, X 3, X 4, or X 5, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; each of Y 1, Y 2, Y 3, Y 4, and Y 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent Y 1, Y 2, Y 3, Y 4, or Y 5 together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; each of Z 1, Z 2, Z 3, and Z 4, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, or any two adjacent Z 1, Z 2, Z 3, or Z 4, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; W is selected from the group consisting of methyl and a benzyl group of formula: wherein each of A 1, A 2 A 3, A 4, and A 5, is independently at each occurrence hydrogen or methoxy, or any two adjacent A 1, A 2 A 3, A 4, or A 5, together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group, and a wavy line indicates a point of bonding; and, wherein each Q Θ is an independently selected pharmaceutically acceptable anion.