The water-soluble copper complex generated in situ from CuCl2 and 2,2′-biquinoline-4,4′-dicarboxylic acid dipotassium salt (BQC), has been revealed as a highlyefficient and selective catalyst for the oxidation of secondary 1-heteroaryl alcohols to the corresponding heteroaromatic ketones with aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide, under mild conditions. The catalytic system is compatible with different