To a solution of 2.20 g of 2,2-dimethyl-piperazine-1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester in 50 ml DCM was added 1.15 ml of benzaldehyde, followed by the addition of 2.61 g of sodium triacetoxyborohydride in small portions. The reaction was stirred at r.t. overnight. To the reaction was then added water. The layers were separated and the organic layer was washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 3.30 g (100%) of the title compound were obtained and used without further purification.
