Abstract: | In this paper, we report the synthesis of pyrimido[2,1‐a] isoquinoline and pyrimido[1,2‐a]quinoline derivatives in high yields from the reaction of isoquinoline or quinoline, activated acetylenic compounds, and amides in the presence of ZnO nanorods (ZnO‐NRs) as catalyst under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature. ZnO‐NRs show good improvement in the yield of the product and significant reusability. Also, the antioxidant activities of the some of the newly synthesized compounds were carried out by 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (PDDH) radical trapping and ferric ion reducing potential tests and compared with those of the synthetic antioxidants 2‐tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These compounds do not show good DPPH radical scavenging but display good ferric ion reducing power. |