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The reaction of aryl iodides, 3-mercaptopropionic acid, and Cu 2 O in refluxing pyridine resulted in the formation of 3-(arylthio)propionic acids in good to excellent yield. The latter 3-(arylthio)propionic acids -as novel aryl mercaptan equivalents -gave aryl mercaptans or diaryl disulfides, respectively, on reductive (Na 2 S) or oxidative (I 2 ) cleavage in alkaline media. The symmetrical disulfides can also be prepared by oxidizing their precursor mercaptans with phenyltrimethylammoniumtribromide in pyridine at ambient temperature.