123A process for preparing 3 alkylsulfinylbenzoyl derivatives of the formula (IIIa) by reaction of 3 alkylsulfinylbenzoic acids of the formula (Ib) with compounds of the formula (II) in the presence of a chlorinating agent and a base is described. In the abovementioned formulae Y is a radical such as pyrazolyl or cyclohexanedionyl. R R and R are radicals such as halogen nitro cyano and alkyl.