In　order　to　describe　the　system　as　realistically　as　possible,　the　fractional-order　mem-ristive　multidirectional　associative　memory　neural　networks　(FOMMAMNNs)　with　pa-rameter　disturbances,　time-varying　and　distributed　delays　are　established.　Further,　the　master-slave　synchronization　is　explored.　Firstly,　in　the　Filippov＇s　sense,　some　conditions　are　derived　via　the　contraction　mapping　principle　to　guarantee　the　uniqueness　of　equilibrium　point　of　the　system.　Secondly,　from　the　perspective　of　reducing　control　costs,　pinning　controller　and　adaptive　pinning　controller　are　designed　for　the　first　time　to　induce　synchronization　of　FOMMAMNNs.　Moreover,　some　synchronization　criteria　are　obtained　by　using　the　properties　of　fractional　calculus,　the　appropriate　Lyapunov　candidate　functions　and　fractional　Barbalat＇s　lemma.　Thirdly,　a　communication　scheme　based　on　chaotic　synchronization　is　proposed　to　achieve　the　safe　transmission　of　important　information.　Finally,　two　numerical　simulations　are　given　to　illustrate　the　feasibility　of　the　theoretical　results　and　the　security　of　the　designed　communication　scheme.(c)　2023　Elsevier　B.V.　All　rights　reserved.