Abstract:
A process for coproducing alkanesulfonyl chloride (ASC) or alkanesulfonic acid (ASA) and hydrochloric acid of reduced contamination with ASC, wherein a compound of the formula RSX, where X is hydrogen or -SR¹ and R and R¹ are alkyl radicals having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, is reacted with chlorine in the presence of aqueous hydrochloride at an elevated pressure.