Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanoparticles: Application to one-pot synthesis of benzo[b][1,5] diazepines

The pharmaceutical and biologically active heterocyclic compounds including benzo[b][1,5] diazepines were efficiently synthesized via three-(in situ five-) component reactions of aromatic diamines, Meldrum's acid, and isocyanide derivatives in the presence of zinc oxide nanoparticles at room temperature. ZnO nanoparticles, as an effective, mild, and reusable catalyst, significantly improved the reaction times and also the products were obtained in excellent yields. The prepared zinc oxide nanoparticles were fully characterized by EDX, XRD, BET, SEM, IR, and TEM analyses.