A new one-pot, three-component synthesis of 2,3,5-substituted (or 2,3 -annulated)-6-(methylthio)pyridines by reacting acyclic or cyclic active methylene ketones, ammonium acetate, and bis(methylthio)acrolein (1) or its 2-phenyl analogue 8 (as 3-carbon-1,3-biselectrophilic components) in the presence of either AcOH-TFA (4:1) or ZnBr 2 (or Znl 2 ) catalysts has been reported.