Abstract A synthesis is reported for (4 R, 5 R)-and (4 S, 5 S)-4-hydroxymethyl-5-(4- nitrophenyl) oxazolidin-2-ones and (1′ R, 4 R)-and (1′ S, 4 S)-4-[hydroxy (4-nitrophenyl) methyl] oxazolidin-2-ones from (1 R, 2 R)-and (1 S, 2 S)-2-amino-1-(4-nitrophenyl)-1, 3- propanediols. The effect of the experimental conditions on the formation of these compounds was studied.