Abstract A series of indeno [2′, 1′: 5, 6] pyrido [2, 3-d] pyrazoles was synthesized by the three-component reaction of aldehyde, 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole and 1, 3- indenedione in the presence of SDS in aqueous media. The structures were characterized by IR, 1 H NMR, high resolution mass spectra and were further confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.