A new effective synthetic method for 1,3-diazapyrenes and 1,3,7-triazapyrenes is developed based on the three-component reaction of perimidines or 1,8-diaminonaphthalene with 1,3,5-triazines and carbonyl compounds or benzonitrile in polyphosphoric acid (PPA). (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.