Asymmetric synthesis of 2-substituted piperidines using a multi-component coupling reaction: rapid assembly of (S)-coniine from (S)-1-(1-phenylethyl)-2-methyleneaziridine.

(S)-Coniine is made using a reaction which assembles the piperidine ring by the sequential formation of four new chemical bonds and installs the C-2 stereogenic centre with high levels of diastereocontrol (90% de).