method is described for the metal-free oxidation of o-vinyl diaryl ketones in the presence of molecular iodine or N-iodosuccinimide to give o-acetyl diaryl ketones. This transformation involves the initial formation of an iodohydrin, and the o-carbonyl group of the iodohydrin participates in a subsequent rearrangement to give the o-acetyl diaryl ketone. The presence and participation of ortho-carbonyl