The compounds of the formula ##SPC1##In which R independently is hydrogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halo or trifluoromethyl; x is 1 to 2; n is 1 to 3, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl or phenyl and together with the nitrogen atom form a heterocycle which may contain an oxygen atom as a hetero atom. The compounds are prepared by reacting the corresponding N-substituted-1-(arylthio)methanesulfonamide with small, incremental amounts up to substantially equimolar of 30% hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid at 65.degree.-70.degree. C., to obtain the sulfinyl compound, or substantially two equimolar proportions of 30% hydrogen peroxide in glacial acetic acid at reflux temperature to obtain the sulfonyl compound, and recovering the corresponding sulfinyl or sulfonyl product.