A novel I-2-catalyzed direct conversion of cyclohexanones to substituted catechols under mild and simple conditions has been described. This novel transformation is remarkable with the multiple oxygenation and dehydrogenative aromatization processes enabled just by using DMSO as the solvent, oxidant, and oxygen source. This metal-free and simple system demonstrates a versatile protocol for the synthesis of highly valuable substituted catechols and therefore streamlines the synthesis and modification of biologically important molecules for drug discovery.