One-step, three-component synthesis of highly substituted pyridines using silica nanoparticle as reusable catalyst

One-step synthesis of 'privileged medicinal scaffolds', 2-amino-3,5-dicarbonitrile- 6-sulfanylpyridines, has been demonstrated via a multicomponent reaction of aldehydes, malononitrile, and thiols using silica nanoparticle (NP) as catalysts. The silica NP catalysts are very mild (nearly neutral in nature), effective, environmentally benign, and retain most of their activities after being reused for three times.