A multicomponent one-pot reaction of aromatic aldehyde, malononitrile and thiophenol in the presence of iodoxybenzoic acid (IBX) in aqueous media furnished 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile-6-thiopyridine in good to excellent yield. Eventually, a catalyst could be easily recovered and reused without loss of its catalytic property.
O-iodoxybenzoic acid; green catalyst; thiopyridines; aqueous media; multicomponent reactions