Seyed Hossein Banitaba - Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX ۱۹۳۹۵-۳۶۹۷ Tehran, Iran
Hossein Kamali Ardekani - Department of Chemistry, Payame Noor University, P. O. BOX ۱۹۳۹۵-۳۶۹۷ Tehran, Iran

Pyrophthalone derivatives have been proposed as photo semiconductors for the preparation of electrophotographic materails [1]. A study of the electro physical properties of pyrophthalones in thin-film systems [2] showed that pyrophthalone, tetra chlorophyrophthalone, and γ-pyrophthalone have considerable photosensitivity. Some pyrophthalone derivatives display considerable anticoagulant activity and low toxicity. Antiphlogistic and analgesic action has been found for these compounds [3]. The complexation properties of some pyrophthalone derivatives, imino-pyriphthalone and quinophthalone towards some transition metal ions have been studied. According to this research we were prompted to develop a general and efficient method for the synthesis of pyrophthalone derivatives starting from phthalic anhydride and pyridine derivatives under solvent-free conditions in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles as catalyst (Fig 1). We have demonstrated a ZnO nanoparticles-catalysed synthesis of Pyrophthalone derivatives. The cheap ZnO NPs catalysis promoted the condensation reaction in good to excellent yields with broad substrate scope, which provides a promising method for the synthesis of pharmacologically significant Pyrophthalone derivatives