An efficient method for the oxidative amidation of aldehydes with primary aromatic and aliphatic amines has been developed for the synthesis of a wide variety of amides using inexpensive Cu₂(BDC)₂DABCO (Cu-metal–organic framework [MOF]) as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst, and N-chlorosuccinimide and aqueous tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidants in acetonitrile. This amidation reaction is operationally straightforward and provides secondary amides in good yields in most cases, utilizing inexpensive and readily available reagents under mild conditions.