A process for preparing α-(3-arylthio)acetophenones of the general formula I where the substituents R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C6-alkyl or an optionally substituted phenyl or benzyl radical, which comprises A) reacting acetophenones of the general formula II where the substituent R1 is as defined above 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 R2 is as defined above