A systematic investigation into the regioselective one-pot, three-component condensation of enaminones la-g, beta-dicarbonyl compounds 2a-c, and ammonium acetate in the presence of a catalytic amount of K5CoW12O40 center dot 3H(2)O (0.01 equiv or 1.0 mol %) under solvent free conditions, as well as in refluxing isopropanol, has been reported. The reaction was highly efficient to produce 2,3,6-trisubstituted pyridines 3a-g, 4a-g, and novel 2,7,7-trisubstituted-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline-5-ones 5a-g in excellent yields. The present procedure offers advantages of short reaction time, simple work-up, and the catalyst exhibited remarkable reusable activity. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.