Novel processes, and intermediates, for making alkylated arylpiperazine and alkylated arylpiperidine compounds of the general formulas (I) and (VII), respectively wherein, R1 and R2 are individually selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted or alkyl; n=0, 1, or 2; Y=NR3R4, OR5, or SR5, where R3 and R4 are individually selected from acyl or sulfonyl, and where R5 is aryl or heteroaryl, or heterocyclic; and Ar is an aryl, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic compound.