Ester-imine derivatives of -amino acids were methylenatedwith dimethyltitanocene under microwave irradiation and theresulting enol ethers cyclized with Brönsted acid or triisopropylaluminium to give 2,6-
syn-disubstituted piperidinonesin good yield and diastereoselectivity. The method isanalogous to the Petasis-Ferrier rearrangement of 1,3-dioxan-4-ones to give tetrahydropyranones.