A technique of “Grindstone chemistry” is applied to the solvent-free halogenation of arenes with NaCl, NaBr or I2 using (diacetoxyiodo)benzene as the oxidant. Improved yields and higher purities of the products are observed compared with those from established methods. ... Keywords: grindstone chemistry, (diacetoxyiodo)benzene, nuclear halogenation ... Halogenated aromatic compounds have been extensively used as intermediates for the synthesis of many industrially ...