Commercially available and preparative ZnO nanoparticles are reported as efficient and reusable catalysts for the chemoselective synthesis of N-acylsulfonamides and sulfonate esters. A one-pot sequential sulfonylation and acylation of amines took place to afford the N-acylsulfonamides in excellent yields under solvent-free conditions. The ZnO catalyst can be reused for without significant loss of catalytic activity. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.