US Patent 7923459 Process for the synthesis of 4-(3-methanesulfonylphenyl)-1-N-propyl-piperidine

The present invention is directed to processes for the preparation of 4-(3-methanesulfonyl-phenyl)-1-N-propylpiperidine (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, which comprises: oxidizing a sulfide of the formula (II): with a catalytic oxidizing agent and an oxidant; to give a compound of the formula (III): followed by catalytic reduction of the compound of formula (III).