Copper catalyzed oxidative ortho-C-H benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridines with benzyl alcohols and benzyl amines as benzoxylation sourcesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c4ob01912a

A simple and efficient protocol for the oxidative ortho benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridines with benzyl alcohols and benzyl amines via C-H bond activation has been developed. The present protocol uses benzyl alcohol and benzyl amine as inexpensive and easily available starting materials to afford benzoxylation products in moderate to good yields in the presence of the Cu/TBHP catalytic system. An efficient methodology for the ortho benzoxylation of 2-phenylpyridine via C-H bond activation using benzyl alcohols and benzyl amines as arylcarboxy sources has been developed.