Copper-catalyzed amidation of 2-phenylpyridine with oxygen as the terminal oxidant.

The Cu(OAc)(2)-catalyzed, O(2)-mediated amidation of 2-phenylpyridine via C-H bond activation is reported. A variety of nitrogen reagents including sulfonamides, carboxamides, and anilines participate in the reaction in moderate to good yields.