A general preparation of pyridines 4a-f from stabilized ketones 3a-c and aryl ketones 3d-f is described. The annulation of stabilized esters 3g, h gives access to the corresponding 2- pyridones 4g, h. The annulation reactions proceed in fair to excellent yields (46-87%) with vinamidinium hexafluorophosphate salts 2a-d containing electron-withdrawing groups at the β-position. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated by NMR and proceeds ...