The green carbocatalyst graphene oxide (GO) has been successfully utilized for selective and expedient synthesis of biologically important motifs imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines, and 3-sulfenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridines via one-pot multi-component reactions (MCR). Diversity in small heterocyclic molecular synthesis has been demonstrated with tolerance of broad range of functional groups establishing the generality of the reaction and as well as demonstrating preparation of libraries of potential pharmacophores. The reactions are believed to proceed via selective and tandem reactions in the presence of GO and NaI (as the additive), and the catalyst GO was found to be easily recoverable and recyclable with appreciable conversions.