A novel approach for the visible-light-initiated synthesis of 2-amino-4H-pyran-3,5-dicarbonitrile derivatives via a one-pot, three-component reaction of aldehydes or isatins, malononitrile, and α-cyano ketones has been developed. The reaction was carried out at room temperature in ethanol/water to give the corresponding products with a wide range of functional groups in high yields. This process did not require any additives or chromatographic separation and could be applied for gram-scale synthesis.
Keywords: 2-amino-4H-pyran-3,5-dicarbonitrile; catalyst-free; green synthesis; multicomponent reaction; spirooxindoles; visible light.