A direct synthesis of 1-(phenylsulfony1) secodine (6) is accomplished by lithiation of l- (phenylsulfonyl)-3-[2-(5-ethyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridyl) ethyl] indole (4), reaction with methyl pyruvate, and dehydration. The 2-cyano-A3-piperideine derivatives of both the carbinol precursor 9 and of 1-(phenylsulfony1) dehydrosecodine 12 have been characterized. Various reaction conditions under which 1-(pheny1sulfonyl) ...