An efficient protocol for the synthesis of dioxopyrrolidine scaffolds has been established using phosphotungstic acid as an effective catalyst in a multicomponent reaction of aromatic primary amines, dialkyl acetylene dicarboxylates and formaldehyde at room temperature in alcohol as a green solvent. In this methodology, the reactant solvent has an important part and is involved in the reaction mechanism to increase the versatility of the product. This protocol involves environment friendly, cost effective methodology with a comparatively simple reaction mechanism. © 2019 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim