Singlet oxygen ( 1 O 2 ) is considered one of the most effective and selective oxygen agents. However, it is always obtained with the help of heavy atoms in the photosensitizers to sensitize 3 O 2 . Herein, metal−nitrogen (M−Nx) doped 1 O 2 photosensitizers were readily prepared from metal−nitrogen complex. Their relative metal centers (e.g., Co) chelated with the N/C moiety (Co−Nx/C) provide the primary active sites for 1 O 2 generation and selective oxidation. The structures of Co−Nx active sites are investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron, Fourier transform infrared, and X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy. Their functions for 1 O 2 generation are confirmed by electrons spin resonance, 1 O 2 emission, KSCN poisoning test, and H 2 SO 4 etching test. These Co−Nx photosensitizers show excellent selective photooxidation abilities for 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene after irradiation by a light-emitting diode lamp. After simple concentration and filtration, it is easy to obtain the pure product (juglone), which is confirmed by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. On the basis of density functional theory calculations, metal (e.g., Co) chelated with N/C moiety, especially for the Co−pyridinic N structure, could effectively reduce the singlet−triplet energy gap (ΔE ST ). It is speculated that this strategy for lowering ΔE ST could benefit intersystem crossing from the singlet state to the triplet state and efficient sensitization of 3 O 2 (triplet state) into 1 O 2 for selective photooxidation.