A process for preparing .alpha.-(3-arylthio)acetophenones of the general formula I ##STR00001## where the substituents R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are each independently C.sub.1-C.sub.6-alkyl or an optionally substituted phenyl or benzyl radical, which comprises A) reacting acetophenones of the general formula II where the substituent R.sup.1 is as defined above ##STR00002## with sulfuryl chloride and subsequently hydrolyzing, and B) reacting the reaction mixture obtained in this way with a thiophenol of the general formula III where the substituent R.sup.2 is as defined above ##STR00003##