Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) have received great attention in organic and chemical synthesis, since they allow planning of new molecules and pharmaceuticals, in particular, with great structural complexity and in excellent yields. One of the most remarkable MCRs is the Biginelli reaction, which forms the dihydropyrimidinones / thiones product through the reaction of aldehyde, β-ketoester and urea or thiourea. In the mechanism of this reaction three pathways can be expected: the Knoevenagel pathway, the iminium ion pathway and the enamine pathway, as this reaction occurs through bimolecular combinations of the reactants. After several experimental and theoretical studies, it was possible to observe that the mechanism of this reaction occurs preferentially through the formation of iminium ion, but may lead to other initiation pathways, depending on the experimental conditions. The goal of this work is to present the changes in the initiation of the reaction mechanism, in view of the different experimental arrangements, observed through studies conducted for this type of reaction over the years, as well as to discuss the results of theoretical studies that support these experimental observations.