Pyridin-2-ones and the related heterocyclic compounds are important components in many active pharmaceuticals together with their N-aryl derivatives that are frequently employed in the investigation of their structure–activity relationships.1 It is known that the copper-catalyzed Ullman reactions are carried out under drastic reaction conditions and yields of the desired products are moderate.2 Improved copper-catalyzed reactions for N-arylation of pyridin-2-ones and the ...