In this study, 1,8-dioxo-octahydroxanthenes were prepared employing a simple, effective and environmentally sound approach utilizing an iron oxide nanocatalyst under solventless conditions. The proposed iron oxide nanomaterial exhibited high product yields, short reaction times and a facile work-up procedure. The synthesized catalyst was also found to be highly stable and reusable under the investigated conditions (up to twelve consecutive cycles) without any significant loss in its catalytic activity.