A process for purifying a halogenated aromatic sulfone or ketone compound comprises contacting the compound with a mixture containing a solvent having a normal boiling point less than about 225.degree. C. and water to form a second mixture, heating the second mixture at a temperature sufficient to substantially dissolve the halogenated compound to form a third mixture, cooling the third mixture to purify and recrystallize the compound, and recovering the purified, recrystallized compound. A second embodiment of the invention comprises repeating the purification process steps at least once to further purify the halogenated aromatic sulfone or ketone compound.