A simple pot, atom and step economic (PASE) approach for the synthesis of 5-monoalkylbarbiturates by a one-pot reaction of barbituric acids, aldehydes, and ketones, involving a domino aldol-Michael reaction is described. The operational simplicity and cost effectiveness of this procedure makes it a sustainable strategy for the synthesis of 5-monoalkylbarbiturates. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.