An efficient and new method for the synthesis of formamides using HZSM-5 zeolite supported copper oxide nanoparticles as an efficient and heterogeneous catalyst is reported. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), temperature programmed desorption of ammonia (TPD-NH3) and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). This method has the advantages of eliminating homogeneous catalysts and provides simple methodology with easy work up. Excellent yields of the corresponding formamides were obtained through this cost-effective protocol under solvent-free conditions with shorter reaction time. The catalyst was easily isolated from the reaction mixture by filtration and reused several times without significant loss in its catalytic (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.