Abstract: This study explores a green methodology for the synthesis of polysubstituted quinolines through Friedländer annulation using water as a solvent. To evaluate the viability of this methodology, results obtained were compared with methods involving the usage of energy, such as mechanical stirring, heating, microwave irradiation, and solvent free heating reaction. To demonstrate the efficiency and consistency of this method, a bulk batch reaction has been performed using this protocol and many quinoline derivatives have been synthesised and characterised by 1H, 13C NMR, melting range, and HR-MS. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Wien.