Amino-substituted imidazo(1,2-a)pyridines can be prepared with yields up to 98% within a few minutes by microwave-assisted three-component reaction between 2-aminopyridines, aldehydes and isocyanides using montmorillonite as the catalyst and toluene as the solvent. The organic solvent can be replaced by ionic liquids. With guanidinium salts the microwave-assisted reaction can be performed in the absence of any further catalyst.