The present review is designed to cover the environmentally benign methods for the synthesis of quinoxaline based ligands. These ligands offer advantageous aspects which can be utilised in the preparation of metal complexes, especially of transition metals having various optical, catalytic, pharmacological applications. Many of these complexes are extensively reported for their anticancerous, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. The different facets of quinoxaline synthesis from the conventional methods to the improved synthetic protocols incorporated for better yield and increasing the green aspects etc. are discussed.