A convenient approach to 3-pyridinols and 5-pyrimidinols via a two-step Cu-catalyzed benzyloxylation/catalytic hydrogenation sequence is presented. The corresponding 3- pyridinamines and 5-pyrimidinamines can be prepared in an analogous sequence utilizing benzylamine in lieu of benzyl alcohol. The radicalscavenging ability of these derivatives are preliminarily explored and reveal that the increased acidities of the pyridinols and ...