OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 4 4 (December 2015) 2014 07 30 A novel zinc(II) macrocycle-based synthesis of pure ZnO nanoparticles 10.1007/s40097-014-0118-x EN V. Pushpanathan Supramolecular Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 600 034, IN D. Suresh Kumar Supramolecular Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 600 034, IN Journal Article 2014 07 30 Abstract Dinuclear zinc(II) complex of the 18-membered tetraiminediphenol macrocycle has been synthesized by Schiff base condensation of 2,6-diformyl-4-methylphenol and 1,2-diaminobenzene in the presence of zinc(II) template. The obtained complex has been characterized by the spectroscopic techniques and mass spectrometry. The complex exhibits high thermal stability and forms ZnO nanoparticles on thermal decomposition. The diffraction peaks in the X-Ray diffraction spectra indicated that the complexes are crystalline. The surface morphology has been investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shows the chemical purity and stoichiometry of the ZnO nanoparticles. The BET surface area of ZnO nanoparticles has been found. The transmission electron microscopy result shows spherical shaped ZnO nanoparticles with the size of 20 nm. Quantum confinement effects are clearly revealed in UV–Vis spectroscopy technique. Graphical Abstract Synthesis of pure phase, spherical shaped nanocrystalline ZnO using Zinc(II) complex of 18-membered tetraiminediphenol macrocycle as precursor for the first time by thermal decomposition.