3-Aryl-2-oxazolidinones are obtained in excellent yields through the copper-catalyzed N-arylation of 2-oxazolidinones with a variety of aryl iodides. With aryl halides containing both iodo and bromo substituents, a high C-I/C-Br selectivity can be achieved. The procedure has been successfully applied to the preparation of a key intermediate in the synthesis of linezolid and to develop an expeditious route to toloxatone.