4-isocyanatobenzonitrile (1.17 g, 8.13 mmol) was added to a solution of (2R,4R)-1-tert-butyl 2-methyl 4-aminopiperidine-1,2-dicarboxylate (2.0 g, 7.7 mmol) and NEt3 (1.3 mL, 9.3 mmol) in THF (30 mL), and the resulting solution was stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. 1M ammonia in methanol (5 mL) was added to reaction mixture to quench excess isocyanine. Water (100 mL) and ethyl acetate (200 mL) were added to the mixture. The organic layer was separated and dried over MgSO4 and concentrated to give a solid. Purification was done by Companion (ReadySep, 80 g, silica gel packed) with ethyl acetate/heptane from 40-70% to give the urea as a white solid 2.9 g (90%). LC-MS: 403.2, 401.3 (t=2.6 min).
