(+) and (-) trans-2,6-dimethylpiperidines 9 have been prepared from diastereomeric lactams 6 and 11, both available from (R)-(-)-phenylglycinol 4. Diastereoselective C-2 alkylation afforded oxazolidines 7 and 12. Reduction of 7 with LiAlH4 or NaBH4 led to trans-2,6-8 with total retention of configuration; When 12 was reduced with NaBH4, irans derivative 13a was isolated as the major isomer. A mechanism is proposed to explain the different results. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.