The condensation of 3-chloropropionyl chloride (I) with 2,4 dimethyl-6 methoxyaniline (II) by means of sodium acetate in glacial acetic acid gives 3-chloro-N-(2,4-dimethyl-6-methoxyphenyl)propionamide (III), which is condensed with 2-methylpiperidine (IV) in refluxing anhydrous benzene.