Convenient and efficient method for synthesis of substituted 2-amino-2-chromenes using catalytic amount of iodine and K2CO3 in aqueous medium

A convenient and efficient method for synthesis of substituted 2-amino-2-chromenes by the reaction of arylidenemalononitriles and 1-naphthol or via one-pot three-component condensation of aromatic aldehydes with malononitrile and 1-naphthol has been developed by using the inexpensive and environmentally friendly reagent I2/K2CO3 in aqueous medium. The method is simple and eco-friendly with good to high product yields in a short time.