The use of indium trichloride as catalyst in a one-pot Mannich reaction in water gives high yields for the formation of beta-aminoketones/esters/acids is described. The catalyst can be recycled when the reaction is complete (Loh T.-P.; Wei L.-L. Tetrahedron Lett. 1998, 39, 323). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.