Synthesis of 14C‐labeled piperidines and application to synthesis of [14C]SCH 351125, a CCR5 receptor antagonist

1-Benzyl-4-hydroxy[2-14C]piperidine, a useful intermediate in labeled compound synthesis, was prepared from [14C]formaldehyde in high yield. The distribution pattern of 14C in the product is consistent with a mechanism involving reversible iminium ion formation and rapid equilibration of the iminium ion through a cationic aza-Cope rearrangement. These steps precede the rate-determining intramolecular cyclization step. SCH 351125 is a potent, selective CCR5 receptor antagonist with potential as a treatment for HIV infection. [14C]SCH 351125, required for metabolism studies, was prepared from 1-benzyl-4-hydroxy[2-14C]piperidine in six steps. [14C]SCH 351125 is a mixture of four atropisomers. Preparation of [14C]SCH 351125 besylate salt of the desired atropisomer pair is also described. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.