A new reagent 2-(trifluoromethylsulfonyloxy)pyridine (TFOP) was prepared by the reaction of sodium salt of 2-pyridinol with trifluoromethylsulfonyl chloride in dioxane. The compound TFOP in trifluoroacetic acid has been found to intermolecularly dehydrate from benzoic acid and aromatic hydrocarbons to give the corresponding benzophenones in high yield. It was further elucidated, in the reaction of