2-Halopyridine N-oxides, especially 2-chloropyridine N-oxide, are important intermediate products for example in the preparation of pyrithiene, especially zinc pyrithione, which are effective as bactericides and fungicides. Because of the electron-withdrawing properties of the halogens, 2-halopyridines can be oxidised with greater difficulty than other pyridine derivatives. Here, effective and reusable nonmetallic catalyst for oxidation of 2-haloptridine to N-oxide using aqueous hydrogen peroxide, will be described.