Asymmetric synthesis of vabicaserin via oxidative multicomponent annulation and asymmetric hydrogenation of a 3,4-substituted quinolinium salt.

An efficient, asymmetric synthesis of the 5-HT2C agonist vabicaserin in four chemical steps and 54% overall yield from commercially available benzodiazepine was achieved. The synthesis was highlighted by a novel oxidative, multicomponent reaction to affect the quinolinium ring assembly in one step followed by an unprecedented asymmetric hydrogenation of a 3,4-substituted quinolinium salt.