Herein, we described a one-pot, three-component and environmentally benign method for the synthesis of β-amino ketones based on the reaction of acetophenones, aromatic aldehydes, and aromatic amines using maleic acid as a green catalyst in ethanol as green solvent. The present methodology offers several advantages including good yields, mild reaction conditions and an inexpensive catalyst with a very easy work up. In addition, this method excludes the use of volatile organic solvents, tedious workup and column chromatographic purification of compounds, making the method greener, convenient and superior. All new compounds were well characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and physical data.