Abstract ZrOCl 2 8H 2 O is a highly effective, water-tolerant, and reusable catalyst for the direct condensation of carboxylic acids and N, N′-dimethylurea under microwave irradiation to give the corresponding N-methylamides in moderate to excellent yields. Notably, ZrOCl 2 8H 2 O is a potentially useful green catalyst due to its low toxicity, easy availability, low cost, ease of handling, easy recovery, good activity, and reusability.