Ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) (10 mol%) in ethanol has been found to be an efficient catalyst for the one-pot multi-component synthesis of fully substituted new indeno[1,2-b]pyridines through a combination of 1,3-indandione, propiophenone or 2-phenylacetophenone, aromatic aldehydes, and ammonium acetate at room temperature. The same methodology also worked well for the construction of several other 2,3,4,5,6-pentasubstituted pyridines at room temperature. Atom economy, excellent yields and mild reaction conditions are some of the important features of this protocol. © ARKAT-USA, Inc.