The present invention is directed to the synthesis of 4-[4-[(R)-[1-[cyclopropylsulfonyl)-4-piperidinyl](3-fluorophenyl)methyl]-- 3(S)-methyl-1-piperazinyl]-1-[(4,6-dimethyl-5-pyrimidinyl)carbonyl]-4-meth- ylpiperidine], and intermediates therefor from readily available starting materials by a novel route.