Water, as green solvent, was reported as a suitable solvent for a huge number of catalyzed organic transformations. The suitability of several transition metal catalysts, such as palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, gold, silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, iridium, indium and cerium for organic heteroannulation reactions in water (as a pure solvent), in a mixed water/organic solvent or in the presence of a stoichiometric ratio of water were also extensively reviewed. Such catalysts played important roles in modern organic syntheses and heteroannulation reactions. In addition, the use of multicomponent reaction pathways under different heating tools (conventional, microwave or ultrasound) were also discussed.