The heterogeneous O-arylation of phenols by nitroarenes was achieved in DMF at 100 °C by using an MCM-41-immobilised bidentate nitrogen copper(II) complex [MCM-41-2N-Cu(OAc)2] as catalyst, yielding a variety of unsymmetrical diaryl ethers in good to excellent yields. This heterogeneous copper catalyst can be easily prepared by a simple procedure from commercially readily available and inexpensive reagents, recovered by filtration of the reaction solution and recycled at least seven times without significant loss of activity.