Ligand- and solvent-free catalytic conditions that harness a nanostructured–CuI catalyst encapsulated in TiO2 has been reported for C2-amination of azoles (benzothiazole, benzoxazole and thiazole). The reaction is highly regioselective. The catalyst is robust, inexpensive and can be recycled up to four times. This strategy was further used for the synthesis of a small molecule with anti-HIV and anti-tumor properties. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim