The multicomponent reaction (MCR) of aromatic aldehydes 1 and malononitrile (2) with active methylenes 5a–h in the presence of L-proline produced pyrans and thiopyrans 6a–h stereospecifically and in good yields. Moreover a novel MCR of ethyl propiolate (8) with 1 and 2 in the presence of L-proline to afford (R)-polysubstituted pyran is also reported. X-ray structures, e.e. and optical activity of the synthesized compounds indicated that L-proline as a catalyst is responsible for the observed enantioselectivity in the studied reactions.

The conditions of the reaction of malononitrile dimer with enaminones and arylidenemalononitrile could be adapted to yield either pyridines or benzene derivatives. A new synthesis of pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidines from the reaction of malononitrile dimer 1 and 2-phenyl-3-piperidin-1-yl-acrylonitrile (11) is described. Compound 1 condensed with DMFDMA to yield an enaminonitrile that reacted with hydrazine hydrate to yield N',4,6-triamino-2H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxamidine (17).

The role of glycerol as a green bio-based solvent, reactant, and/or a catalyst in the synthesis of novel heterocycles, under pressure, is studied. Synthesis of novel quinolines in good yields using a new modified Skraup synthesis, utilizing glycerol and pressure Q-tubes, is demonstrated. Novel aniline trimers are prepared using glycerol, and substituted anilines under pressure, in acidic medium and water. Glycerol was employed as a catalyst and a green solvent in the synthesis of novel pyridazines 13a–c. The mechanisms of the reactions and the catalytic effect of glycerol in protic and aprotic media are fully discussed. The structures of the synthesized compounds were determined via X-ray crystallography and spectroscopic methods.

Reaction of enaminones 1a–d with 2-aminoprop-1-ene-1,1,3-tricarbonitrile (2) in the presence of AcOH/NH₄OAc afforded 7-amino-5-oxo-5,6-dihydro-1,6-naphthyridine-8-carbonitrile derivatives 9a–d. On the other hand, 2-aminopyrano[4,3,2-de] [1,6]naphthyridine-3-carbonitriles 20a–c,e were the only obtained products from the reactions of 1a–d with 2 in the presence of AcOH/NaOAc, while 1d afforded [3,5-bis-(4-chloro-benzoyl)-phenyl]-(4-chloro-phenyl)-methanone 21 under the same condition. The reaction of 2 with diethyl acetylenedicarboxylate in the presence of AcOH/NH₄OAc afforded (4-cyano-5-dicyanomethylene-2-oxo-2,5-dihydro-1H-pyrrol-3-yl)-acetic acid ethyl ester 15B.

Efficient synthesis of phenanthridin-6(5H)-one derivatives 12a–n in a four-component reaction of aldehyde hydrazone, aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile in Q-Tubes is reported. The results showed that the methodology has the advantage of being a one-pot synthesis of tricyclic systems in good yields. Potential routes leading to formation of compounds 12 are discussed. The structures of the synthesized compounds could be unequivocally established via X-ray crystal structure determination and spectroscopic methods.