A new organic-inorganic hybrid catalyst (SMSNP-CA) was prepared by post synthesis grafting of -COOH functionalized organosilane on uniform spherical silica nanoparticles of 600 nm size with narrow slit like mesopores by using surface hydroxyl groups as anchor points. It was characterized by N 2 adsorption analysis, HRTEM, CHN analysis, 13 C CP MAS, 29 Si MAS NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The nanosilica particles possess unique morphological features. The broad applicability of SMSNP-CA was probed through a library synthesis of highly decorated pyrroloacridinone derivatives in the eco-friendly solvent ethanol. CuI-catalyzed further C (sp 3 )-H oxyfunctionalization leading to CO formation was carried out using O 2 as an environmentally benign and ideal oxidant since water is the only byproduct in these reactions. This journal is © the Partner Organisations 2014.