In this investigation, a new application of 1H-imidazol-3-ium tricyanomethanide catalyst was explored. The catalyst presented a robust catalytic applicability for the preparation of naphthoquinone-based compounds under mild and green reaction conditions. A wide range of aromatic aldehydes were able to react with 2-hydroxynaphthalene-1,4-dione and 3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)- one or malononitrile to afford the desired naphthoquinone-based molecules in short time with high to excellent yields.
