Alkylation of 2-pyridin-4-ylethanol (I) with 4-fluorobenzyl chloride (II), followed by reduction of the resultant pyridinium salt (III) with NaBH4 leads to the tetrahydropyridine (IV). Acid-catalyzed condensation of alcohol (IV) with benzhydrol (V) then provides the benzhydryl ether (VI) (1). Hydroboration of tetrahydropyridine (VI) and subsequent oxidative work up gives rise to the racemic trans piperidinol rac-(VII) (1,2). Resolution of (VII) is accomplished via esterification with (-)-camphanic chloride (VIII), followed by HPLC separation of the resulting diastereoisomers. The desired isomer (IX) is finally hydrolyzed employing K2CO3 in MeOH to provide the target enantiomer