•A new series of pyridine derivative dyes were synthesized by domino reaction.•The dyes exhibit the high aggregation-induced emission features.•The dyes can be applied as fluorescent probe for detection the Au3+.•The probe can be applied in aqueous solution with high selectivity and sensitivity.A series of multi donor–acceptor substituted pyridine derivative dyes were synthesed by three-component catalyst-free domino reaction in methanol aqueous at room temperature. The pyridine derivative dyes with thermally stable fluorescence exhibit aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in both aqueous solution and solid state due to the restricted intramolecular rotation as well. Furthermore, the family of molecule dyes showed nearly the full range of color emitters from blue to green and to orange. Moreover, the importance of dyes for heavy and transition metal ion species detection applications was demonstrated via the “turn off” detection of Au3+ in aqueous solution with the simple synthetic approach and high selectivity and sensitivity.

A novel basic polymerized ionic liquid (BPIL): polymeric 1-[(4-ethenylphenyl)methyl]-3-propylimidazolium imidazolide was synthesized and characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron spray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The BPIL was used as an efficient catalyst for aqueous Knoevenagel condensations with extended substrates. In comparison with common base catalysts, the BPIL showed high catalytic activity, which was ascribed to the cooperation between the strong basicity and the high surface activity. Moreover, the BPIL with high molecular weight has high surface activity and low catalytic activity. In addition, the BPIL was easily recovered and maintained high catalytic activity after five cycles of use in the system using benzaldehyde and malononitrile as substrates.

An effective one-pot multicomponent synthesis of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidinone derivatives through the tandem heterocyclization of hydrazine, methylenemalononitrile and aldehyde has been developed. This highly effective method includes nucleophilic addition, heterocyclization, substitution, intramolecular Pinner, Dimroth rearrangement and dehydroaromatization.

A novel, straightforward and practical copper-catalyzed domino protocol for synthesis of quinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives from commercially available 2-halobenzonitriles and amides was successfully developed.

An efficient N-heterocyclic carbene-assisted one-pot reaction for the synthesis of 2,3-dihydropyrimido[4,5-d]pyrimidin-4(1H)-ones from 2-(ethoxymethylene)malononitrile, guanidines (or amidines) and ketones (or aldehydes) has been developed. This highly efficient method includes a series of conversions such as Michael addition, cyclisation, isomerization, aromatization, then nucleophilic attack and Dimroth rearrangement. And it avoids complicated reagents and multiple steps.

The efficient direct amination of azoles, including benzoxazole, benzothiazole and 1-methylbenzimidazole, was accomplished in moderate to good yields using CuCl2 complexes of amines as a readily available and effective nitrogen source. The coupling reactions were performed under mild conditions: at 30–50 °C within 3–6 h, in air without oxidant, additive, ligand and anhydrous conditions.