Multicomponent Reactions: A Brief History and their Versatility for the Synthesis of Biologically Active Molecules

Multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are reactions that start from three or more reagents in order to obtain only one final product that has all or most of the carbon atoms from its starting materials. Regarding the Green Chemistry goals, MCRs emerge as ideal processes, with its atomic economy and less waste, as well as being tools for the creation of wide ranges of compounds with potential biological activity. These reactions represent, in the Medicinal Chemistry context, a great potential in the research for new drug candidates, since their products can present great structural complexity. The aim of this review is to present the main multicomponent reactions since its inception, and especially its evolution, emphasizing the synthetic, biological and pharmaceutical importance of the same.