Structurally diverse alcohols and phenols were trimethylsilylated in a clean and efficient reaction with hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) based on the use of I2 generated in situ from Fe(NO3)3 • 9 H2O/NaI. The reaction occurs very rapid in good-to-high yield in CH2Cl2 at room temperature, and the use of toxic and corrosive molecular I2 is avoided.