Acryloyl chloride is obtained by reaction of acrylic acid with phenylchloroform in the presence of at least one Lewis acid as catalyst and of at least one polymerization inhibitor. According to the invention the catalyst is chosen from zinc oxide and zirconium tetrachloride and the reaction is conducted at a temperature of at least 105.degree. C. In a preferred embodiment acrylic acid is added to the mixture consisting of phenylchloroform, the catalyst and the polymerization inhibitor and heated to a temperature of at least 105.degree. C., the acryloyl chloride formed distilling off as soon as the introduction of acrylic acid begins.Acryloyl chloride is a highly reactive synthesis intermediate.