A novel strategy of 'all water chemistry'is reported for a concise total synthesis of the novel class anti-anginal drug ranolazine in its racemic (RS) and enantiopure [(R) and (S)] forms. The reactions at the crucial stages of the synthesis are promoted by water and led to the development of new water-assisted chemistries for (i) catalyst/base-free N-acylation of amine with acyl anhydride,(ii) base-free N-acylation of amine with acyl chloride,(iii) ...