A series of 2-aryl-6-trifluoromethyl-4-pyridylcarbinolamines is herein disclosed which has value in treatment of plasmodial infections. The compounds have substituted phenyl groups at position 2- on the pyridine moiety, with the electronegative substituents present on the phenyl nuclei. The syntheses of such series is described, together with a method for separation of racemates of a representative 4-pyridylcarbinolamine type.