The use of mononuclear Cu(II) 2,2 0 -bipyridine and 1,10-phenantroline complexes as catalysts in the oxidation of benzene, using hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant in CH 3 CN/H 2 O solution is presented. The reactions were carried out at 25 and at 50°C. The complexes [Cu(bipy) 3 ]Cl 2 Á 6H 2 O (1), [Cu(bipy) 2 Cl]Cl Á 5H 2 O (2), [Cu(bipy)Cl 2 ] (3), [Cu(phen) 3 ] Cl 2 Á 7H 2 O (4), [Cu(phen) 2 Cl]Cl Á 5H 2 O (5), [Cu(phen)Cl 2 ](6) were able to oxidize benzene into phenol, hydroquinone and p-benzoquinone. Highest conversion (22%) was obtained using [Cu(Phen)Cl 2 ] (6) as catalyst.