The catalytic ability of ZrO(2)/SO(4)(2-) to promote solventless three-component condensation reactions of a diversity of aromatic aldehydes, urea or thoiurea and ethyl acetoacetate was studied. Products resulting from Hantzsch and/or Biginelli multi-component reactions are obtained in the presence of solid acid catalysts using the same reactants but different temperature conditions. The sulfated zirconia catalyst can be recovered and recycled in subsequent reactions with a gradual decrease of activity.