Stereoselective total synthesis of isomers of [2-phenyl-propionyl]-2-piperidinone-3(R)-yl-ester has been achieved using commercially available starting materials like trans cinnamaldehyde and 4-pentene-1-ol. The key steps are Steglich conditions for the esterification of the two crucial intermediates; reduction of the azide to amine under Staudinger reaction conditions with concomitant intramolecular