We have developed a base promoted simple, efficient and alternative approach for the synthesis of 4-amino-3-aroyl//heteroaroyl/acetyl-2-methylsulfanyl-naphthalene-1-carbonitriles by reaction of easily accessible 3,3-bis(methylthio)-1-aryl/heteroaryl/acetylprop-2-en-1-one and 2-cyanomethyl-benzonitrile. Reaction of 1-(2-halo/methoxy-phenyl)-3,3-bis(methylthio)prop-2-en-1-one and 2-cyanomethylbenzonitrile under basic conditions also afforded 6-(methylthio)-7-oxo-7,12-dihydrobenzo[c]acridine-5-carbonitrile along with usual product. Structure of the synthesized product has been confirmed by single X-ray crystallography. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.