A simple highly versatile and efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles, benzoxazoles, benzothiazoles, and quinoxalinesis achieved from carbonyl compounds and o-substituted aminoaromatics using nano-sulfated zirconia, nano-structured ZnO, nano-gamma-alumina and nano-ZSM-5 zeolites, as the catalyst. The characteristic structural features of the materials were determined by techniques, such as XRD, FT-IR and SEM. The advantages of method are short reaction times and milder conditions and easy work-up. The catalysts can be recovered for the subsequent reactions and reused without any appreciable loss of efficiency. Published by Elsevier B.V.