4-Benzoylpiperidine (I) was converted to the N-Boc derivative (II) by treatment with Boc2O in the presence of Na2CO3. 4-Iodo-N,N-diethylbenzamide (III) was subjected to metal-halogen exchange with tert-butyllithium, and the resulting organolithium derivative (IV) was condensed with ketone (II) to give carbinol (V). Finally, dehydration of the benzhydryl alcohol of (V) with concomitant N-Boc group cleavage in the presence of trifluoroacetic acid furnished the title compound.