Synthesis of chiral 2-aryl-4-piperidones

The synthesis of chiral 2-(2-indolyl)- and 2-(3-indolyl)-4-piperidones by reaction of N,N-dimethyl-4-oxo-2-[1-(phenylsulfonyl)-indolyl] piperidinium iodide and (R)-(-)-phenylglycinol is reported