Novel multi-component syntheses of pyrimidines using β-CD in aqueous medium

[Display omitted] •Novel multi-component syntheses of pyrimidines developed for the first time using β-CD in aqueous medium.•The β-cyclodextrin is recyclable, inexpensive, economically-viable, non-toxic, and readily available.•Multi-component reactions (MCRs), green synthesis, and short reaction times for the synthesis of pyrimidines. Using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as a catalyst pyrimidine derivatives were synthesized for the first time in aqueous medium. β-CD is a recyclable, inexpensive, economically viable, non-toxic, and readily available material. Various aldehydes were used with ammonium acetate, and 1,3-diketones to generate a series of pyrimidine derivatives in good to excellent yields.