The reaction of cyclohexylamine (I) with chloroacetyl chloride (II) in water in the presence of sodium hydroxide gives N-cyclohexyl-2-chloro-acetamide (III), which by reaction with piperazine (IV) in water is converted to N-[(N-cyclohexylcarbamoyl)methyl]piperazine (V). This compound is then treated with one equivalent of HCl.