A simple combination of copper(II) acetate (Cu(OAc)(2)) and an appropriate base could promote oxidative cross-coupling of H-phosphonates and amides using air as a terminal oxidant. The substrate scope was broad with respect to both dialkyl H-phosphonates and nitrogen nucleophiles (including oxazolidinone, lactam, pyrrolidinone, urea, indole, and sulfonamide derivatives), giving the corresponding P-N coupling products in moderate to high yields.