The three-component one-pot synthesis of highly functionalized piperidine derivatives was carried out by condensing 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with aromatic aldehydes and aniline using a catalytic amount (10 mol%) of LaCl 3·7H 2O in methanol at room temperature. The main features of current protocol include easy work up, mild reaction conditions, good yields and high atom economy. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2012.