An efficient and stereoselective synthesis of (3S,4R)-(-)-trans-4-(4′-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpiperidine

An asymmetric conjugate addition reaction between a chiral alpha,beta-unsaturated amido ester and ethyl-N-methylmalonamide has been used as a key step in the synthesis of (3S,4R)-(-)-trans-4-(4'-fluorophenyl)-3-hydroxymethyl-N-methylpiperidine, a key intermediate for (-)-paroxetine. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.