Syntheses of (-)-deoxoprosophylline from chiral L-N,N-di(benzyl)serine (TBDMS) aldehyde is reported. A highly diastereoselective nucleophilic addn. of Buechi's Grignard reagent to chiral serinal followed by an intramol. reductive amination of w-oxo amino diol are two key steps of the present synthesis. The target compd. was (2S,3R,6R)-6-dodecyl-3-hydroxy-2-piperidinemethanol, which is related to the Prosopis africana piperidine alkaloid family. [on SciFinder (R)]