CuO nanospindles have been developed to efficiently catalyze the direct arylation of heterocycle C-H bonds with moderate to excellent yields. This reaction can be applied to heterocycles such as benzoxazole, benzothiazole, and 1-methylbenzimidazole in the presence of a more environmentally friendly inorganic base like K(2)CO(3) under ligand-free catalytic conditions. In addition, the catalyst can be recycled and reused without any significant decrease in catalytic activity.