Examination of several solid acid catalysts of different nature (acid resins, zeolites, mixed oxides, Nboxide, and Nb-phosphate) was performed for the direct iodination reaction of phenol by using molecular iodine. The experiments were carried out in mild and green conditions (50°C at ambient pressure) in methanol in the presence of H 2 O 2 as oxidant agent. Iodine was introduced in reduced amount, stoichiometric for the formation of diiodinated phenol, to obtain information on the regioselectivity of the iodination reaction. The catalysts proved to be all efficient for the introduction of iodine into the aromatic substrate, yielding mono-, di-, and tri-iodo derivates. Different selectivity distributions to the iodo-compound formed were observed over the different catalysts. Catalysts could be grouped into distinct families on the basis of their ortho/para orientation.