2-Pyridyl acetic acid (I) is converted into its methyl ester derivative (II) by means of SOCl2 in MeOH and then vigorously hydrogenated over Pt in MeOH to afford 2-(2-piperidyl)acetic acid methyl (III). Finally, piperidine ester derivative (III) is alkylated on nitrogen with 2-phenylethylbromide (IV) in DMF in the presence of K2CO3.