The synthesis of 8-aryl-2-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-7-ones (7) by acid cyclization of 4-(3-aryl-2-oxopropyl)-2-piperidinecarbonitriles (5) is reported. Bicyclic α-aril-β-amino ketones 7 easily undergo a retro-Michael ring opening to give the corresponding 2-arylcyclohexenones 8.