In this paper, we reported an anodization method for the fabrication of novel uniform Cu(OH)2 nanowires, CuO nanoparticles, and CuO shuttle-like nanoparticles with advanced structures. The possible formation mechanism of Cu(OH)2 nanowires, CuO nanoparticles, and CuO shuttle-like nanoparticles was proposed. The good catalytic properties of CuO nanoparticles converted from Cu(OH)2 nanowires and the CuO shuttle-like nanoparticles were confirmed by evaluating their catalytic ability on the C–N cross coupling of amines with iodobenzene.Highlights► Electrochemical fabrication of uniform Cu(OH)2 and CuO nanostructures. ► The formation mechanism of Cu(OH)2 nanowires and CuO nanostructures was proposed. ► CuO nanostructures exhibited good catalytic ability on the C–N cross coupling.