Cerium (IV) sulfate tetrahydrate, Ce(SO4)2·4H2O, is a novel inorganic solid acidic catalyst that effi-ciently catalyzes the synthesis of 2,3-dihydroquinazolin-4(1H)-ones via the one-pot three- compo-nent reaction of isatoic anhydride, aromatic aldehydes, and a nitrogen source (ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium chloride, or methylamine) under solvent-free conditions. The desired products are obtained in short reaction time with high yields. The catalyst is inexpensive and readily available and can be recovered conveniently and reused such that considerable catalytic activity can still be achieved after the fifth run. Easy work-up and avoiding the use of harmful or-ganic solvents are other advantages of this simple procedure.