A general method is described for the synthesis of 3-aminopiperidines from 4-piperidones based on a KOEt treatment of the tosylate of the corresponding oximes (Neber rearrangement). The procedure is applied to the synthesis of N-benzyl-3-amino-4,4-diethoxypiperidine (13), (R)-N-(2-hydroxy-1-phenyl)ethyl analogues 18, and 2-phenyl derivatives 27–28. The methoxybenzylation of the primary amino group