Potassium phthalimide-catalysed one-pot multi-component reaction for efficient synthesis of amino-benzochromenes in aqueous media

2-Amino-4-aryl-4H-benzoh]chromenes and 3-amino-1-aryl-1H-benzof]chromenes were prepared by treating cyano-methylene compounds (malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate), substituted aromatic aldehydes, and naphtholic compounds in the presence of potassium phthalimide as a green, mild, efficient, and commercially available organocatalyst in aqueous media. The procedure was readily conducted and affords remarkable advantages such as safety, short reaction times, environmentally benign milder reaction conditions, no organic solvent required, and high yields.