By using air as the superior oxidant, a highly atom-efficient synthesis of 2-substituted quinazolines is developed by a CsOH-mediated direct aerobic oxidative reaction of the readily available and stable 2-aminoarylmethanols and nitriles. Effectively working as the promoter in the alcohol oxidation, nitrile hydration, and cyclocondensation steps, CsOH is the best base for the reaction. A similar method can also be extended to the synthesis of substituted quinolines starting from methyl ketones instead of nitriles.