An efficient and simple method for the synthesis of new 5-oxo- 5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridine derivatives via Michael addition of 4-aminocoumarin to arylidenemalononitrile for 20 min at 150°C without any solvent is proposed. The advantages of this procedure are mild reaction conditions, high yields of products, and operational simplicity.Keywords: 5-oxo-5H-chromeno [4,3-b]pyridine, Michael addition, solvent-free synthesis.Various coumarin derivatives, particularly those fused with other heterocycles, have attracted much attention in recent years due to their biological activities [1,2], and encouraged research to improve the availability of these compounds with regard to procedures and substrates. Coumarins condensed to pyridine ring (chromeno[3,4-b]pyridin-5-ones) are also under investigation, as they constitute the backbone of naturally occurring alkaloids, e.g. santiagonamine [3]. Some of them, both natural and non-natural products, are currently in clinical trials [4][5][6][7].Previously we reported the synthesis and cytotoxic activity of novel coumarin derivatives, chromeno[4,3-b]-quinolines, benzopyrano[3,2-c]chromene-6,8-diones and chromeno[3',4']pyrano[2,3-b]quinoline-6,9-diones [8-10]. In continuation of our studies, and owing to the importance of chromenopyridines, we decided to investigate the synthesis of new 5-oxo-5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridine derivatives by a simple method.The literature data on existing synthetic routes to 5-oxo-5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridines can be classified based on the functionality of the starting materials. Synthetically significant approaches include multistep ring formation by reaction of 4-aminocoumarin with alkyl vinyl ketones [11], 4-amino-3-formylcoumarin with C-H acids [12], 4-chloro-3-formylcoumarin with Wittig phosphoranes [13], or 4-oxo-4H-chromene-3-carbaldehydes with enamines followed by oxidation [14]. In another procedure, 7-trifluoromethyl group-containing 5-oxo-5H-chromeno[4,3-b]pyridine derivatives were prepared by reaction of 4-chloro-3-(trifluoroacetyl)-2H-chromen-2-one and aniline followed by intramolecular cyclization in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid [15]. However, these methods have disadvantages such as harsh reaction conditions, sensitivity of starting materials and reagents to moisture, and use of toxic reagents (POCl 3 , TMSCl) or oxidants (CrO 3 , conc. H 2 SO 4 ).In the present work, we have developed the synthesis of new 2-amino-4-aryl-5-oxo-5H-chromeno-[4,3-b]pyridine-3-carbonitriles 3a-n via Michael addition of 4-aminocoumarin (1) to arylidenemalononitrile 2a-n in 60-80% yields in a solvent-free system at 150°C.