The potent cholinergic agonist (+/-)-cis-2-methyl-5-[(dimethylamino)methyl]-1,3-oxathiolane methiodide (+/-)-1] was resolved into enantiomeric forms. Their absolute configurations were established by a synthetic pathway that also allowed the synthesis of the corresponding diastereomeric (+)- and (-)-trans-2-methyl-5-[(dimethylamino)-methyl]-1,3-oxathiolane methiodide [(+)- and (-)-10]. Compound (+)-1, which is the most potent of the four isomers, showed the same absolute configuration as L-(+)-muscarine and (+)-cis-dioxolane. The four isomers were tested on guinea pig ileum and frog rectus abdominis, and their muscarinic and nicotinic potency (EPMR) and selectivity were determined. The relationships between stereoisomerism and potency are discussed.