Iodine(III)/AlX3-mediated electrophilic chlorination and bromination of arenes. Dual role of AlX3 (X = Cl, Br) for (PhIO)n depolymerization and as the halogen source

•Efficient procedure 36–98% yield at mild temperature conditions (23 °C).•Proceed to open flask conditions and shows excellent functional group tolerance.•We found a dual role of AlX3 salts depolymerizing the (PhIO)n and as halogen source.•The interaction (PhIO)n—AlCl3 was evidenced by HRMS ESI(+) identifying monomeric PhIO.•The procedure takes place in short reaction times usually 10–30 min.