N-Benzoylamides of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine are not ortholithiated by organolithium compds. but instead undergo nucleophilic addn. of the organolithium compd. to the arom. ring in the manner of a conjugate addn. The resulting dearomatized enolates may be protonated or alkylated, and yield substituted cyclohexadienes in yields of up to 76%. Deprotection of the piperidine ring is possible under