The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of iodinated phenols, —in particular, it relates to a process including the electrochemical iodination of 3,5-disubstituted phenols of formula (1) to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2, 4,6-triiodophenols of formula (2), which are useful intermediates for the synthesis of x-ray contrast media, and to the preparation of the contrast media themselves. Furthermore, the present invention includes the electrochemical iodination of 3, 5- disubstituted anilines of formula (6) to the corresponding 3,5-disubstituted-2,4,6-triiodoanilins of formula (7).