Site-selective amination and/or nitrilation via metal-free C(sp 2 )-C(sp 3 ) cleavage of benzylic and allylic alcohols.

Benzylic/allylic alcohols are converted via site-selective C(sp 2 )-C(sp 3 ) cleavage to value-added nitrogenous motifs, viz. , anilines and/or nitriles as well as N-heterocycles, utilizing commercial hydroxylamine- O -sulfonic acid (HOSA) and Et 3 N in an operationally simple, one-pot process. Notably, cyclic benzylic/allylic alcohols undergo bis-functionalization with attendant increases in architectural complexity and step-economy.