Synthesis of three Brønsted acid-based ionic liquids, namely, 1-ethyl-1,2,4-triazolium triflate (1a), 1-propyl-1,2,4-triazolium triflate (1b) and 1-butyl-1,2,4-triazolium triflate (1c), is described. These ionic liquids have been employed as catalysts for convenient and high-yielding one-pot synthesis of 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones and 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-thiones, which are Biginelli reaction products. Advantages of the methodology are operational convenience, short reaction times, avoidance of chromatographic purification and non-production of toxic waste. Further, the catalysts are easily recovered and reused without any noticeable diminution in their catalytic activity.

An efficient, atom economical, one-pot synthesis of endo^'- selective (dispiro 3,2^¢-pyrrolidinyl) bisoxindole containing three contiguous chiral stereocenters with two contiguous quaternary spirostereo centers have been achieved by three-component reaction of isatins, malononitrile (cyanoacetic ester) and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in water in the presence of L-proline. One-pot, azomethine ylide cycloaddition with a dipolarophile without using any catalyst have also been achieved in good yields. This new methodology offers many advantages of catalyst-free, mild reaction conditions, shorter reaction time, environmental friendliness, regio- and stereoselective processes in higher yields