alpha-Hydroxyketones are oxidatively cyclized with o-phenylenediamines in toluene at 120 degrees C under an atmosphere of air in the presence of a catalytic amount of a copper catalyst along with powdered 4A molecular sieves to afford the corresponding quinoxalines in high yields. The reaction is applicable to a wide range of alpha-hydroxyketones which have various aryl and alkyl groups attached to carbonyl carbon. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.