A new general route for the synthesis of novel β-aryl-β-(methylthio)acroleins, a class of stable potential 1,3-dielectrophilic synthons, has been reported. The overall protocol involves treatment of either β-chloroacroleins or their precursor iminium salts (generated in situ from the corresponding active methylene ketones under Vilsmeier–Haack reaction conditions) with S,S-dimethyldithiocarbonates