New synthesis of 3-aryl-N-n-propyl-piperidines

The synthesis of 3-aryl-N-n-propyl-piperidines is described in six steps starting from α-sulfonyl acetamide via the formal [3+3] cycloaddition reaction of the latter into glutarimide. The pathway involves an efficient cycloaddition and regioselective reduction, and yields useful building blocks for heterocyclic chemistry.