A diastereodivergent synthesis of enantiopure cis- and traiis-2-[(3-ethyl-4-piperidyl)methyl]indole (cis-1b and trans-1b) from a common phenylglycino]-derived oxazolopiperidone lactam 3 is reported. The key step is a stereocontrolled conjugate addition, either under kinetic or thermodynamic control, of the dilithium salt of 2-(2-indolyl)-1,3-dithiane to unsaturated lactam 3. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.