An efficient and ecofriendly synthesis of highly functionalized pyridones <i>via</i> a one-pot three-component reaction

-amino-3-cyano-2-pyridone derivatives by a one-pot reaction of cyanoacetohydrazide, activated nitrile substrates (malononitrile, ethyl cyanoacetate, cyanoacetamide) and aromatic aldehydes in the presence of piperidine in water or a mixture of water and ethanol. The sequence of cascade reactions includes Knoevenagel condensation, Michael addition, intramolecular cyclization, imine-enamine tautomerization and oxidative aromatization. The main advantages of this procedure are availability of starting compounds, simple procedure, mild conditions, easy purification of products and the use of water or water/ethanol as green solvents.