To a mixture of 74 parts of dl-α-(4-methylphenyl)-4-piperidineacetonitrile, 95.4 parts of sodium carbonate, a few crystals of potassium iodide in 1840 parts of 4-methyl-2-pentanone are added portionwise 39.21 parts of (chloromethyl)benzene. After the addition is complete, the whole is stirred and refluxed for 24 hours. The reaction mixture is cooled and 400 parts of water are added. The organic layer is separated, dried over potassium carbonate, filtered and evaporated. The oily residue is dissolved in 1,1'-oxybisethane and gazeous hydrogen chloride is introduced into the solution. The precipitated hydrochloride salt is filtered off and dried, yielding 68 parts of dl-α-(4-methylphenyl)-1-(phenylmethyl)-4-piperidineacetonitrile monohydrochloride; mp. 212°-213° C.
